Use of gallium(III) complexes for the treatment of melanomas

1. A method of treating melanoma comprising administering to a patient in need of treatment of melanoma an effective amount of a compound of the general formula (I)

wherein each R is

where R 7 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted, or halogen or sulfonyl, and q is an integer of 0 to 3.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein q equals 0.

3. A method of treating melanoma comprising administering to a patient diagnosed of melanoma an effective amount of tris(hydroxyquinolinolato)gallium(III) or a pharmaceutically compatible salt thereof.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said patient is diagnosed of metastatic melanoma.

5. A method of treating melanoma comprising:

identifying a patient having melanoma, and

administering to said patient an effective amount of tris(hydroxyquinolinolato)gallium(III) or a pharmaceutically compatible salt thereof.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said patient is diagnosed of metastatic melanoma.