Topical and Intralesional Immunotherapy for Melanoma In Situ: A Review

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• Melanoma in situ (MIS) incidence is rising, posing treatment challenges.
• Surgical excision is standard but often unsuitable for elderly patients or cosmetically sensitive areas.
• Non-surgical options are crucial for managing MIS in specific patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the applications of immunotherapy in treating melanoma in situ.
• To evaluate immunotherapy as monotherapy and in combination with other treatments.
• To assess the efficacy of different immunotherapeutic agents for MIS.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on immunotherapy for MIS.
• Analysis of clinical data on imiquimod, intralesional interferon-α, and ingenol mebutate.
• Evaluation of treatment outcomes including clearance and recurrence rates.

Main Results:

• Imiquimod demonstrates encouraging real-world results for MIS treatment.
• Clearance and recurrence rates are favorable with imiquimod monotherapy or as adjuvant therapy.
• Neoadjuvant imiquimod therapy can reduce the required surgical defect size.

Conclusions:

• Local immunotherapy, especially imiquimod, is a valuable therapeutic alternative for selected MIS cases.
• Immunotherapy is frequently used in clinical practice and offers excellent outcomes for certain patients.
• Further research may expand the role of immunotherapy in MIS management.