UPDATE 1-Merck gets FDA nod for skin cancer drug

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April 11 (Reuters) - Merck & Co Inc said the U.S. health regulator approved its drug to treat skin cancer in patients with node-positive melanoma, following removal of the affected part.

Merck's drug Sylatron, which is delivered by a subcutaneous injection, is indicated as an additional treatment of melanoma with microscopic or gross nodal involvement within 84 days of definitive surgical resection.

The company said patients with a history of severe allergic reaction to hepatitis C drugs peginterferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2b should not use Sylatron.

Merck said the approval of the drug is based on data from the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer.

Merck shares closed at $33.59 on Monday on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Anand Basu in Bangalore; Editing by Joyjeet Das)