Deciphering the role of adjuvant therapy in melanoma and its actual benefits.
Satoshi FukushimaAzusa MiyashitaToshihiro KimuraHaruka KuriyamaSatoru MizuhashiYuki IchigozakiShinichi MasuguchiPublished in: The Journal of dermatology (2024)
Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated a significant improvement in recurrence-free survival among melanoma patients receiving high-dose interferon-α, immune checkpoint inhibitors (pembrolizumab, nivolumab), and BRAF/MEK inhibitors (dabrafenib-trametinib). This study aimed to investigate whether these findings hold true in real-world conditions for patients with stage III and IV melanoma. In particular, the study explores the efficacy and side effects of adjuvant therapies, focusing on anti-PD-1 antibodies and BRAF/MEK inhibitors. While clinical trials have shown comparable efficacy, differences in side-effect profiles, especially the persistence of immune-related adverse events with anti-PD-1 antibodies, highlight the need for careful consideration in adjuvant settings. In the absence of established biomarkers for guiding adjuvant therapy decisions, it becomes imperative to transparently communicate the advantages and disadvantages of drug administration to patients. The study also delved into the impact of melanoma subtype and BRAF mutation status on the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy, emphasizing the need for further investigation.
Keyphrases
- clinical trial
- high dose
- randomized controlled trial
- early stage
- systematic review
- dendritic cells
- end stage renal disease
- low dose
- ejection fraction
- signaling pathway
- peritoneal dialysis
- cell proliferation
- pi k akt
- open label
- metastatic colorectal cancer
- patient reported outcomes
- advanced non small cell lung cancer
- epidermal growth factor receptor