| Inclusion Criteria: | 1) Histologically documented diagnosis of melanoma metastases.
2) Stage IIIB/IIIC (N2b, N2c and N3) or stage IV (M1a) melanoma patients with measurable and potentially resectable metastases without clinical and radiological evidence of other distant metastases.
3) An ECOG performance status of 0-1.
4) Age 18 or older.
5) Adequate organ function defined as follows: a.) Absolute granulocytes greater than or equal to 1,000/mm^3 and Platelets greater than or equal to 100,000/mm^3, b.) Serum bilirubin and serum creatinine of less than or equal to 1.5 times upper limit of laboratory normal. If serum creatinine is greater than 1.5 times upper limit of laboratory normal, the urine creatinine clearance must be greater than 60 ml/min., c.) SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase less than or equal to 3 times upper limit of laboratory normal.
6) Patients have not had any previous systemic chemotherapy for metastatic melanoma. Prior biologic therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy are allowable, but must be at least 2 weekssince prior therapy before starting study drugs. No other concurrent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy.
7) Prior radiation therapy used to enhance local regional control is permitted, but must be at least 2 weeks since prior therapy before starting study drugs. In addition, the patient must have unirradiated metastatic sites for response evaluation and has fully recovered from its toxicity. Lesions within the prior field of radiation may only be used as indicator lesions if there has been recent evidence of disease progression after .
8) Ability to understand and sign an informed consent form, indicating awareness of the investigational nature of this study. |