Sylatron OKed as add-on melanoma treatment

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment made by Merck for treating skin cancer, Merck said Monday.

Merck announced the approval of Sylatron (peginterferon alfa-2b) as an add-on treatment for treating melanoma with microscopic of gross nodal involvement within 84 days of surgery.

“Merck is pleased to offer patients with node-positive melanoma this new option to treat the disease,” Merck VP clinical oncology Eric Rubin said. “This is the first such therapy approved for the adjuvant treatment of melanoma by the FDA in more than 15 years.”