Treatment of In-Transit Melanoma With Intralesional Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and Topical Imiquimod 5% Cream: A Report of 3 Cases. Issue 9 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kibbi, Nour; Ariyan, Stephan; Faries, Mark; Choi, Jennifer N.
• Is Part Of: Journal of immunotherapy. Volume 38:Issue 9(2015:Nov./Dec.)
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: in-transit melanoma -- local therapy -- intralesional Bacillus Calmette-Guérin -- ILBCG -- topical imiquimod; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- therapy -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 615.37
• DOI: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000098
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-9557

Abstract

Abstract : Local therapy for in-transit melanoma (ITM) is a treatment alternative for patients who are not good candidates for systemic therapy, regional therapy, or surgical management. In this case report, we describe 3 patients with ITM who were treated with intralesional Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (ILBCG) and/or topical imiquimod. Treatment course was dictated by the clinical response. Patient 1's response to ILBCG monotherapy was not sufficient to cause disease regression; however, transition to topical imiquimod therapy resulted in complete and sustained response. Although patient 2 responded to ILBCG and imiquimod, she developed a hypersensitivity reaction to ILBCG; when topical imiquimod was continued as monotherapy, her clinical response was complete. Patient 3 responded completely to ILBCG monotherapy in injected lesions, but expired shortly thereafter from unrelated disease. Reports like this one are needed to define the success measures of local therapy in the treatment of ITM.