Unfortunately, the effect did not persist. This phenomenon is very rare and appears more often in melanoma than in other cancers. The current standard immunotherapeutic drugs are interferon and interleukin. Combinations of the two drugs showed some promise in early trials, but later studies failed to confirm any added benefits over a single immunotherapeutic agent. Vaccines that boost the immune system are showing particular promise.
Many experts now recommend high-dose interferon for patients with Stage III melanoma.
It may have value for patients in Stage IV and, in low doses, may even help Stage II patients, who were not thought to be helped by interferon. The most common side effects are fatigue, depression, and flu-like symptoms. Side effects can be very severe, although in one study the overall quality of life was reported to be better for those who took interferon than for those who did not. A similar drug, interferon alpha 2a, is also showing promise and may even be beneficial for Stage II patients. The drug has very severe side effects, including very low blood pressure, heart rhythm abnormalities, severe infections, and shortness of breath, but they are manageable and nearly always reversible.