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A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
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Neoadjuvant systemic therapy for regionally advanced melanoma
James W Jakub1, Jennifer M Racz1, Tina J Hieken1
1Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Journal of Surgical Oncology
|December 12, 2017
Summary
Neoadjuvant systemic therapy offers a viable treatment option for advanced melanoma, showing a low risk of regional progression and potential for converting unresectable tumors to a resectable state. This approach can achieve complete responses in about a quarter of patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Melanoma Research
- Systemic Therapy
Background:
- Regionally advanced melanoma presents a high risk of distant failure.
- Surgery alone is often insufficient for cure in these high-risk patients.
- Neoadjuvant therapy is being explored to improve outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the outcomes of neoadjuvant systemic therapy in high-risk stage III melanoma patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this approach in resectable and unresectable disease.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 23 stage III melanoma patients.
- Patients received neoadjuvant therapy between August 2009 and August 2016.
- Analysis included patients with resectable and unresectable disease.
Main Results:
- 16 patients had resectable disease; only one experienced regional progression.
- 7 patients with unresectable disease were down-staged to resectable.
- 26% achieved a complete response (CR); 5-year overall survival was 84%.
Conclusions:
- Neoadjuvant systemic therapy is a reasonable approach for advanced, resectable/borderline resectable melanoma.
- The risk of losing regional control is low with this treatment strategy.
- Conversion of unresectable to resectable disease and complete clinical responses are achievable.
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