Articles from 2022 to 2023 to Inform Your Cancer Practice: Melanoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Melanoma Treatment

Background:

• Advanced melanoma management has been revolutionized by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapies.
• Evolving treatment paradigms include adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and combination strategies, with ongoing maturation of outcome data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in systemic therapy for melanoma published in 2022-2023.
• To highlight key findings for surgical oncologists regarding ICI and BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapies, including adjuvant and neoadjuvant applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of recently published clinical trial data and long-term follow-up studies.
• Analysis of efficacy, durability, and sequencing strategies for systemic melanoma treatments.

Main Results:

• Longer-term data confirm the efficacy and durability of single-agent ICI therapy.
• Novel combination ICI therapy shows enhanced efficacy; starting with ICI therapy improves survival in metastatic melanoma.
• Positive 5-year adjuvant therapy results for resected stage III melanoma and new data for stage IIB/IIC.
• A practice-changing trial demonstrates improved outcomes with neoadjuvant therapy for resectable macroscopic melanoma.

Conclusions:

• Systemic therapies, particularly ICIs and BRAF/MEK inhibitors, continue to significantly improve outcomes in advanced melanoma.
• Adjuvant and neoadjuvant strategies are expanding, offering improved outcomes for resectable disease stages.
• Optimal sequencing of therapies and emerging combination approaches are critical for maximizing patient survival and response durability.