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Updated: Mar 2, 2026
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
[Great advances in the systemic treatment in malignant melanoma patients]
Gustav Ullenhag1, Johan Hansson2, Lars Ny3
1Institutionen för immunologi genetik och patologi - Uppsala universitet Uppsala, Sweden Uppsala Universitet Institutionen för Immunologi Genetik och Patolog - Oncology Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract:
Great advances in the systemic treatment in malignant melanoma patients Up until a few years ago there was no systemic treatment with the capacity to prolong overall survival for patients with advanced malignant melanoma. Several new treatments have been established in clinical practice in recent years and they belong to two main groups; checkpoint inhibitors and inhibitors of an intracellular pathway (MAP kinase). The latter drugs are only active in melanomas with an activating BRAF mutation, which is present in half of the patients. Side effect management is important and in particular for the checkpoint inhibitors, which activate the immune system and frequently provoke immune related reactions. The introduction of these new treatments has substantially improved prognosis and some patients might even be cured. Based on ongoing research, more therapeutic breakthroughs can be anticipated in the years to come.
Insights
Recent advances in systemic treatments, including checkpoint inhibitors and MAP kinase pathway inhibitors, have significantly improved survival for advanced malignant melanoma patients. Careful side effect management is crucial for these novel therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Advanced malignant melanoma previously lacked effective systemic treatments to prolong overall survival.
- Recent years have seen the establishment of novel systemic therapies in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent advances in systemic treatment for advanced malignant melanoma.
- To highlight the two main classes of new treatments and their characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical practice advancements in malignant melanoma systemic treatment.
- Categorization of new treatments into immune checkpoint inhibitors and intracellular pathway (MAP kinase) inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Two main groups of systemic treatments have emerged: checkpoint inhibitors and MAP kinase inhibitors.
- MAP kinase inhibitors are effective only in melanomas with activating BRAF mutations (approximately 50% of cases).
- Checkpoint inhibitors can cause immune-related adverse reactions requiring careful management.
Conclusions:
- New systemic treatments have substantially improved the prognosis for advanced malignant melanoma patients, with potential for cures.
- Ongoing research suggests further therapeutic breakthroughs are anticipated in the near future.
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