Safety and Efficacy of Combination Biotherapy With High-dose Interferon Alfa-2b and Anti-CTLA4 Monoclonal Antibody for Recurrent Inoperable Stage III or Stage IV Melanoma

One course of therapy consists of three cycles (1 cycle=28days). Anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody (15 mg/kg i.v.) will be given during the first cycle only. HDI will be given all three cycles - cycle 1: 20 MU/m2 i.v. on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 a week (MTWRF) for 4 weeks; cycle 2: 10 MU/m2 s.c. 3 days a week (MWF) for 4 weeks; and cycle 3: 10 MU/m2 s.c. 3 days a week (MWF) for 4 weeks. Response assessment will be carried out at day 56 and day 84. Every patient will receive 3 cycles regardless of response status after the first 2 cycles. However, a patient may be taken off therapy in the event of clinical progression at the discretion of the treating physician. Patients without evidence for disease progression after 3 cycles may be offered additional cycles two weeks after completion of the third cycle. Therapy will continue for a maximum of 12 months.