Whereas in previous clinical trials, introducing cytokines in chemotherapeutic regimens yielded an enhanced efficacy (Atkins et al, 1994; Legha et al, 1996), our results raise doubts concerning the potential benefits of the presently used dosages of IL-2 and INF-α for therapy of metastatic melanoma since objective response rates of patients treated with chemotherapy alone were similar (29.9%) to sequential chemoimmunotherapy (34.3%). This evidence concerns the gene IFNA17 and metastatic melanoma.