A clinical trial of BCG immunotherapy as an adjunct to surgery in the treatment of primary malignant melanoma

Abstract

A preliminary analysis of a controlled trial of BCG immunotherapy as an adjunct to surgery in the treatment of primary malignant melanoma has been carried out. The length of follow-up varied from 5 years to 6 months. No obvious benefit from BCG immunotherapy has been found so far. On the other hand the treatment is painful with an appreciable morbidity. Skin tests for delayed hypersensitivity have shown no recognisable differences in patients treated with surgery and those who also had BCG, or in the pattern of responses in those who developed recurrences and those who did not. In view of these early findings trial entry has been closed.