Pilot Study of IFN α2b for Melanoma Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

• Primary melanoma with the following Breslow thickness and stage

  • less than or equal to 2 mm
  • Patients with recent (within 12 wks) biopsy of primary melanoma that has not been widely resected will be eligible for study according to the above-specified criteria for tumor thickness and stage.
• Age 18 years or older.
• Patients must have documented hemoglobin level of 10g/dL or higher and normal organ function tests including BUN, Creatinine, and liver enzyme panel to include AST, ALT, and Bilirubin. This can be drawn on the day of consent, or be documented from a previous visit within the past 30 days
• Negative serum pregnancy test
• Subjects must have provided written, informed consent prior to any study procedures: collection of blood and LN tissue specimens for this protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious illnesses, such as: cardiovascular disease (uncontrolled congestive heart failure, hypertension, cardiac ischemia, myocardial infarction, severe cardiac arrhythmia), bleeding disorders, autoimmune diseases, severe obstructive or restrictive pulmonary diseases, active systemic infections, inflammatory bowel disorders, severe renal disease.
• Any significant psychiatric disease, medical intervention, or other condition, which in the opinion of the Principal Investigator or Co-Investigators, could prevent adequate informed consent or compromise participation in the clinical trial.
• Active infection or antibiotics within one-week prior to study.
• Systemic steroid or other immunosuppressive therapy administered for more than 10 days within 4 weeks of enrollment.