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Treatment of Advanced Melanoma: Past, Present and Future

Taku Fujimura1, Yumi Kambayashi1, Kentaro Ohuchi1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 19, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Advanced melanoma treatment has evolved significantly. Immunotherapies like anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1) antibodies and targeted BRAF/MEK inhibitors are now key treatments, improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Melanoma treatment has historically relied on cytotoxic agents like dacarbazine and interferons.
  • Recent advancements have introduced targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
  • The landscape of advanced melanoma treatment has transformed since 2014.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolution of anti-melanoma therapies.
  • To discuss current therapeutic options for advanced melanoma.
  • To highlight ongoing clinical trials for novel melanoma treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of therapeutic advancements in advanced melanoma.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for emerging melanoma treatments.
  • Synthesis of information on immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1) antibodies are now standard-of-care for advanced melanoma.
  • Combination therapies, including ipilimumab with anti-PD1 antibodies, show significant efficacy.
  • BRAF kinase inhibitors combined with MEK inhibitors are effective for BRAF-mutant melanoma, particularly with low tumor burden.

Conclusions:

  • Modern melanoma treatment incorporates immunotherapies and targeted agents.
  • Anti-PD1 antibodies are broadly applicable across BRAF mutation statuses.
  • Ongoing clinical trials are exploring novel combinations to further improve advanced melanoma treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
BRAF inhibitorsMEK inhibitorscombination therapyimmune checkpoints inhibitorsmetastatic melanoma

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