Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin Plus Paclitaxel As An Individualized Chemosensitivity-Directed Treatment In Advanced Metastatic Melanoma

8551 Background: Melanoma is a cutaneous neoplasm known for its high agressiveness and its poor prognosis once metastasized. Dacarbacine chemotherapy is actually considered standard first-line treatment of metastatic melanoma, with reported response rates of 6–7%. Due to this unsatisfactory situation, a number of non-standard anti-cancer drugs have been tested for improved efficacy. The present study was aimed to test doxorubicin plus paclitaxel in metastatic melanoma patients based on in-vitro chemosensitivity of this drug combination in fresh tumor samples. Methods: The primary study endpoint was objective response, secondary endpoints were safety and overall survival. Patients with histologically confirmed metastatic melanoma (AJCC stage IV), measurable tumor parameters, and an in-vitro chemosensitivity to doxorubicin plus paclitaxel which is superior to other test drugs determined by an ATP-based luminescence viability assay, were eligible. Patients received paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 i.v. followed by pegyl...