The use of Diphencyprone for treating in-transit melanoma

Written by Dr Shelley Hwang
Diphencyprone (DPCP) is a topical immunotherapy that is often used to treat alopecia areata and warts. However, there has been some case studies describing its efficacy in treating in-transit melanoma tumours that are not suitable for neither surgery or radiotherapy.
We have incorporated Royal Prince Alfred hospital’s DPCP protocol to develop our own protocol to suit Westmead patients with the help of a supportive manufacturing pharmacist, and the protocol is currently under review by the pharmacy board in our hospital. Thanks to all the support and help, our dermatology research team is now able to provide DPCP treatment to patients with in-transit melanoma which are not suitable for surgery or radiotherapy. Since late 2015, we have treated a few patients with these in-transit melanoma tumours with diphencyprone in conjunction with systemic therapies. For further enquiries, please contact the Westmead Dermatology Research Team on +61 2 9845 5686.