Endocrine treatment with anti-estrogen, anti-androgen or progestagen of advanced malignant melanoma: three consecutive phase II trials.

Malignant melanoma is generally considered as a hormone-independent tumour. However, epidemiological, clinical and experimental data suggest that steroid hormones can influence the growth of this tumour. The therapeutic efficacy of endocrine treatment was evaluated in three consecutive phase II trials with the anti-estrogen tamoxifen, the anti-androgen cyproterone acetate and the progestagen medroxyprogesterone acetate. The 53 evaluable patients were mainly untreated with other forms of systemic therapy. Using response criteria in accord with WHO, none of the patients in the three trials obtained an objective remission. In summary, the present trials have demonstrated that the clinical course of advanced malignant melanoma is indifferent to competitive and additive endocrine treatment.