Phase II Trial of the Effects of Interferon Alfa-2b on the Immunogenicity of a Polyvalent Melanoma Antigen Vaccine in Patients With Stage III Malignant Melanoma

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the effect of interferon alfa-2b on the potentiation of antimelanoma antibodies and cellular immune responses induced by immunization to a polyvalent melanoma vaccine and interleukin-2 in patients with stage III malignant melanoma. II. Determine the optimal dose of interferon that will maximally stimulate these responses in these patients. III. Determine the toxicity of this regimen in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are randomized into a vaccine treated control arm or to receive one of two doses of interferon alfa-2b plus vaccine. All patients receive polyvalent melanoma vaccine incorporated into interleukin-2 liposomes. The vaccine is administered intradermally every 2 weeks for 8 weeks, monthly for 3 months, and then every 3 months for a total of 2 years or until disease progression. Patients assigned to arms II or III also receive interferon alfa-2b subcutaneously, at one of two doses, three times a week for 2 years. Patients are followed for survival.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 32 patients will be accrued for this study within 18 months.