Sex-specific difference for melanoma from immunotherapy advancement

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epidemiology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Melanoma incidence and mortality trends require evaluation, focusing on population characteristics and sex differences.
• Understanding these trends is crucial for public health strategies and targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze gender-stratified melanoma mortality trends.
• To identify changes in incidence and mortality rates over time.
• To investigate potential factors influencing these trends, including treatment efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Gender-stratified analysis of melanoma mortality across calendar years.
• Utilized Joinpoint software to detect incidence rate alterations and mortality trends.
• Assessed 2-year survival rates in specific female age groups.

Main Results:

• Melanoma mortality rose 2005-2010 (APC 2.95%) but decreased 2015-2019 (APC -4.39%).
• Male mortality decreased by 5.84% (2015-2019), with no significant trend in females.
• No significant variation in 2-year survival for women aged 45-54 across age groups.

Conclusions:

• Significant melanoma mortality decline (2015-2019) occurred alongside stable incidence in the US.
• Immunotherapy is a potential factor in mortality reduction, benefiting male patients more.
• Female patients, especially younger women, did not show similar significant advantages from recent treatments.