Patients with stage 2B , 2C , 3B , and 3C melanoma were randomly assigned to receive interferon alfa-2b ( IFN -- 2b ) 20 MIU/m ( 2 ) intravenously ( IV ) daily 5 days per week for 4 weeks ( arm A ) versus the same regimen followed by IFN -- 2b 10 MIU/m ( 2 ) administered subcutaneously three times per week for 48 weeks ( arm B ) and observed for relapse-free survival ( RFS ) and overall survival .