(July 11, 2008 - Insidermedicine) A chemically modified form of interferon alfa-2b may help delay the recurrence of disease in patients with advanced melanoma, according to a study published in The Lancet.

Here are some facts about melanoma:

•    It is the most serious type of cancer of the skin.

•    Risk factors include fair skin, personal or family history, experiencing sunburns severe enough to blister, and being exposed to UV radiation.

•    Ways to reduce the risk of melanoma include staying out of the midday sun, as well as wearing protective clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses with UV protection.

Researchers out of Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam and the EORTC Melanoma Group randomly assigned over 1,200 patients who had undergone surgery to treat their advanced melanoma to treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b or observation. Those receiving treatment were treated for an average of one year.

After 3.5 years, those receiving the treatment had an 18% reduced risk of recurrence of their cancer, compared with those who received only observation. At four years, this reduced risk was 15%.

We had a chance to speak with Dr. Alexander Eggermont, the study coordinator, who offered some further insight into this treatment.

Today’s research demonstrates that pegylated interferon alfa-2b may be an alternative to high dose interferon, which can be difficult to tolerate, for patients with advanced melanoma

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.