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Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
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Conjunctival Melanoma: Current Treatments and Future Options
Joseph M Grimes1, Nirav V Shah1, Faramarz H Samie2
1Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
|January 23, 2020
Summary
Metastatic conjunctival melanoma lacks effective treatments. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies, successful in other melanomas, show promise for advanced conjunctival melanoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Conjunctival melanoma is a rare eye tumor with varied presentation and high metastatic potential.
- Established treatments exist for local conjunctival melanoma, but options for metastatic disease are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential efficacy of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for metastatic conjunctival melanoma.
- To advocate for the inclusion of conjunctival melanoma patients in clinical trials for advanced melanoma treatments.
Main Methods:
- Review of genetic similarities between conjunctival, cutaneous, and mucosal melanomas.
- Analysis of existing case reports on targeted small-molecule inhibitors and immunotherapy in advanced conjunctival melanoma.
- Literature review of current melanoma treatment guidelines and drug development pipelines.
Main Results:
- Conjunctival melanoma shares genetic similarities with cutaneous and mucosal melanomas, suggesting shared therapeutic targets.
- Targeted therapies (BRAF, KIT inhibitors) and immunotherapies (PD-1, CTLA-4 inhibitors) show potential based on limited case reports.
- Existing data supports the investigation of these systemic treatments for advanced conjunctival melanoma.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies and immunotherapies represent promising avenues for treating metastatic conjunctival melanoma.
- Conjunctival melanoma patients should be considered for inclusion in clinical trials investigating new therapies for cutaneous and mucosal melanomas.
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