The antibacterial substance, taurolidine in the second/third-line treatment of very advanced stage IV melanoma including brain metastases: results of a phase 2, open-label study

Abstract

The efficacy and tolerability of taurolidine, an antibacterial substance, was evaluated in a phase 2 trial enrolling patients with advanced melanoma. The treatment schedule consisted of daily taurolidine (20 g) administered intravenously for 5 days per week for 3 consecutive weeks followed by 1 week of rest. One cycle comprised of 28 days. A maximum of six cycles could be administered. Sixteen patients were assessable for tumor response, seven of whom had brain metastases. Three patients (18.8%) achieved disease stabilization, including a patient with a primary mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity who had a marked locoregional response with disease stabilization of the distant metastases. Thirteen patients had disease progression. Median overall survival was 46±1 days. Adverse events were moderate and mainly gastrointestinal. Treatment with taurolidine has no activity in patients with advanced melanoma.