ESMO consensus conference recommendations on the management of metastatic melanoma: under the auspices of the ESMO Guidelines Committee

Efficiency and tolerance of second-line triple BRAF inhibitor/MEK inhibitor/anti-PD1 combined therapy in BRAF mutated melanoma patients with central nervous system metastases occurring during first-line combined targeted therapy: a real-life survey

Although current systemic therapies significantly improved the outcome of advanced melanoma, the prognosis of patient with central nervous system (CNS) metastases remains poor especially when clinically symptomatic. We aimed to investigate the efficiency of CNS targets and tolerance of second-line combined anti-PD1/dual-targeted anti-BRAF/anti-MEK therapy implemented in patients with CNS progression after initially efficient first-line combined targeted therapy in patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma in a real-life setting. A monocentric retrospective analysis including all such patients treated from January 2017 to January 2022 was conducted in our tertiary referral center. The response of CNS lesions to second-line triple therapy was assessed through monthly clinical and at least quarterly morphological (according to RECIST criteria) evaluation. Tolerance data were also collected. Seventeen patients were included with a mean follow-up of 2.59 (±2.43) months. Only 1 patient displayed a significant clinical and morphological response. No statistically significant difference was observed between patients receiving or not additional local therapy (mainly radiotherapy) as to response achievement. Immunotherapy was permanently discontinued in 1 patient owing to grade 4 toxicity. Mean PFS and OS after CNS progression were 2.59 and 4.12 months, respectively. In this real-life survey, the subsequent addition of anti-PD1 to combined targeted therapy in melanoma patients with upfront CNS metastases did not result in significant response of CNS targets in most BRAF mutated melanoma patients with secondary CNS progression after initially successful first-line combined targeted therapy.

Does patient sex affect the treatment outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors? A Danish, observational melanoma study

AIM

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether patient biological sex influences treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) undergoing first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.

METHODS

The Danish Metastatic Melanoma Database (DAMMED) was employed to identify patients who underwent first-line ICI therapy for MM in Denmark from 2013 to 2021. Excluding adjuvant treatment, uveal and mucosal histological subtypes, the study conducted univariable and multivariable analyses to evaluate the influence of patient sex in survival analyses. Further, landmark survival of this real-world national cohort was described for progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and melanoma-specific survival (MSS).

RESULTS

The analysis encompassed a cohort of 1378 patients with MM. Compared to male sex, females had significantly improved OS (p = 0.003) when tested in univariable testing. Multivariable analyses, controlling for age, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase level, BRAF status, M-stage, and number of metastatic sites revealed significant favourable outcomes associated with female sex irrespective of the considered survival metrics (pPFS = 0.014, pOS = 0.002, and pMSS = 0.03). The observed five-year OS rates of the entire cohort were 47% and 38%, while melanoma-specific survival were 50% and 45% for female and male, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this nationwide cohort of patients with MM undergoing first-line ICI treatment females exhibited superior treatment outcomes compared to males. Sex was identified as an independent predictive variable for treatment outcomes, irrespective of the chosen outcome measures considered. Our analyses are not able to conclude whether the differences in outcome is attributable to differences in biology or to treatment strategy.

Severe acute myositis and myocarditis on initiation of 6-weekly pembrolizumab post-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination

We describe three cases of critical acute myositis with myocarditis occurring within 22 days of each other at a single institution, all within 1 month of receiving the initial cycle of the anti-PD-1 drug pembrolizumab. Analysis of T cell receptor repertoires from peripheral blood and tissues revealed a high degree of clonal expansion and public clones between cases, with several T cell clones expanded within the skeletal muscle putatively recognizing viral epitopes. All patients had recently received a COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccine prior to treatment and were positive for SARS-CoV2 Spike antibody. In conclusion, we report a series of unusually severe myositis and myocarditis following PD-1 blockade and the COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

The treatment of advanced melanoma: Current approaches and new challenges

In recent years, advances in melanoma treatment have renewed patient hope. This comprehensive review emphasizes the evolving treatment landscape, particularly highlighting first-line strategies and the interplay between immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies. Ipilimumab plus nivolumab has achieved the best median overall survival, exceeding 70 months. However, the introduction of new ICIs, like relatlimab, has added complexity to first-line therapy decisions. Our aim is to guide clinicians in making personalized treatment decisions. Various features, including brain metastases, PD-L1 expression, BRAF mutation, performance status, and prior adjuvant therapy, significantly impact the direction of advanced melanoma treatment. We also provide the latest insights into the treatment of rare melanoma subtypes, such as uveal melanoma, where tebentafusp has shown promising improvements in overall survival for metastatic uveal melanoma patients. This review provides invaluable insights for clinicians, enabling informed treatment choices and deepening our understanding of the multifaceted challenges associated with advanced melanoma management.

Real-world management practices and characteristics of patients with advanced melanoma initiated on immuno-oncology or targeted therapy in the first-line setting during the period 2015-2018 in Greece. The 'SUMMER' study: a retrospective multicenter chart review project

This study primarily aimed to generate real-world evidence (RWE) on the profile and first-line treatment (1LT) patterns of patients with advanced (unresectable Stage III/metastatic) cutaneous melanoma initiated on immuno-oncology (IO)- or targeted therapy (TT)-based 1LT between 1 January 2015 and 1 January 2018 (index period), in routine settings of Greece. This was a multicenter, retrospective chart review study. Eligible consented (unless deceased, for whom consent was waived by the hospital) patients were consecutively included by six oncology clinics. The look-back period extended from informed consent or death to initial melanoma diagnosis. Between 9 Junuary 2021 and 9 February 2022, 225 eligible patients (all Caucasians; 60.4% male; 35.6% diagnosed with de novo advanced melanoma) were included. At 1LT initiation, median age was 62.6 years; 2.7/6.7/90.7% of the patients had Stage IIIB/IIIC/IV disease and 9.3% were unresected. Most frequent metastatic sites were the lung (46.7%), non-regional nodes (33.8%), and liver (20.9%). Among patients, 98.2% had single primary melanoma, 45.6% had disease localized on the trunk, and 63.6% were BRAF-mutant. Of the patients, 45.3% initiated 1LT with an IO-based, 53.3% with a TT-based regimen, and three patients (1.3%) received TT-based followed by IO-based or vice versa. Most common 1LT patterns (frequency ≥10%) were BRAFi/MEKi combination (31.6%), anti-PD-1 monotherapy (25.3%), BRAFi monotherapy (21.8%), and anti-CTLA-4 monotherapy (17.8%). Most frequent regimens were Dabrafenib+Trametinib in 25.3%, and monotherapies with Pembrolizumab/Ipilimumab/Vemurafenib/Dabrafenib in 23.6/17.8/11.1/10.7% of patients, respectively. SUMMER provides RWE on 1LT strategies and profile of patients initiated 1L IO- or TT-based therapy in Greece during the 3-year index period.

Cost-effectiveness of treating advanced melanoma with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes based on an international randomized phase 3 clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

In a multicenter, open-label randomized phase 3 clinical trial conducted in the Netherlands and Denmark, treatment with ex vivo-expanded tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL-NKI/CCIT) from autologous melanoma tumor compared with ipilimumab improved progression-free survival in patients with unresectable stage IIIC-IV melanoma after failure of first-line or second-line treatment. Based on this trial, we conducted a cost-utility analysis.

METHODS

A Markov decision model was constructed to estimate expected costs (expressed in 2021€) and outcomes (quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)) of TIL-NKI/CCIT versus ipilimumab in the Netherlands. The Danish setting was assessed in a scenario analysis. A modified societal perspective was applied over a lifetime horizon. TIL-NKI/CCIT production costs were estimated via activity-based costing. Through sensitivity analyses, uncertainties and their impact on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were assessed.

RESULTS

Mean total undiscounted lifetime benefits were 4.47 life years (LYs) and 3.52 QALYs for TIL-NKI/CCIT and 3.33 LYs and 2.46 QALYs for ipilimumab. Total lifetime undiscounted costs in the Netherlands were €347,168 for TIL-NKI/CCIT (including €67,547 for production costs) compared with €433,634 for ipilimumab. Undiscounted lifetime cost in the Danish scenario were €337,309 and €436,135, respectively. This resulted in a dominant situation for TIL-NKI/CCIT compared with ipilimumab in both countries, meaning incremental QALYs were gained at lower costs. Survival probabilities, and utility in progressive disease affected the ICER most.

CONCLUSION

Based on the data of a randomized phase 3 trial, treatment with TIL-NKI/CCIT in patients with unresectable stage IIIC-IV melanoma is cost-effective and cost-saving, both in the current Dutch and Danish setting. These findings led to inclusion of TIL-NKI/CCIT as insured care and treatment guidelines. Publicly funded development of the TIL-NKI/CCIT cell therapy shows realistic promise to further explore development of effective personalized treatment while warranting economic sustainability of healthcare systems.

SAFFRON-103: a phase Ib study of sitravatinib plus tislelizumab in anti-PD-(L)1 refractory/resistant advanced melanoma

Aim: Investigate TKI sitravatinib plus anti-PD-1 antibody tislelizumab in patients with unresectable/advanced/metastatic melanoma with disease progression on/after prior first-line anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy. Methods: Open-label, multicenter, multicohort study (NCT03666143). Patients in the melanoma cohort (N = 25) received sitravatinib once daily plus tislelizumab every 3 weeks. The primary end point was safety and tolerability. Results: Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in all patients, with ≥grade 3 TEAEs in 52.0%. Most TEAEs were mild-or-moderate in severity, none were fatal, and few patients discontinued treatment owing to TEAEs (12.0%). Objective response rate was 36.0% (95% CI: 18.0-57.5). Median progression-free survival was 6.7 months (95% CI: 4.1-not estimable). Conclusion: Sitravatinib plus tislelizumab had manageable safety/tolerability in patients with anti-PD-(L)1 refractory/resistant unresectable/advanced/metastatic melanoma, with promising antitumor activity. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03666143 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Melanoma-Modern Treatment for Metastatic Melanoma

ABSTRACT

Traditional chemotherapy has been ineffective in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Until the use of checkpoint inhibitors, patients had very limited survival. Since the original US Food and Drug Administration approval of ipilimumab over a decade ago, the armamentarium of immunotherapeutic agents has expanded to include programmed cell death protein 1 and lymphocyte activation gene 3 antibodies, requiring a nuanced approach to the selection of frontline treatments, managing patients through recurrence and progression, and determining length of therapy. Herein, we review the existing evidence supporting current standard immunotherapy regimens and discuss the clinical decision-making involved in treating patients with metastatic melanoma with checkpoint inhibitors.

An unusual case of metastatic melanoma in subcutaneous tissue presenting as a solitary cystic mass with fluid levels

Malignant melanoma is a common and often aggressive neoplasm of the skin arising from melanocytes. Metastatic melanoma is known for its diverse clinical manifestations, and can present with atypical features prior to diagnosis of the primary lesion, which can pose a diagnostic challenge. We report a rare case of metastatic melanoma in a 67 year-old male who presented with a painless, enlarging mass in the right axilla over a 4 week period. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed a well-defined solitary, cystic appearing lesion in the right axilla with a distinct fluid-fluid level. An ultrasound guided biopsy of the lesion diagnosed a metastatic melanoma. While haemorrhagic distant metastases are a well-recognised complication of malignant melanoma, particularly in the brain and lung, soft tissue metastases presenting with fluid-fluid levels is not well described in the literature. The case highlights the importance of considering the differential of melanoma metastasis when encountered with such a lesion and importance of ultrasound guided biopsy for histopathological confirmation, as the imaging features can mimic that of a haemorrhagic soft tissue sarcoma, the management of which differs substantially from that of melanoma.

Which is the best treatment for melanoma brain metastases? A Bayesian network meta-analysis and systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Melanoma has a high degree of central nervous system tropism, and there are many treatment modalities for melanoma brain metastases (MBM). The efficacy and toxicity of various treatments are still controversial. Therefore, they were evaluated by direct and indirect comparison to assist clinical decision-making in this study.

METHOD

A total of 7 therapeutic modalities for MBM were studied. Retrieval was conducted through Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of science databases and the quality of the included literature was evaluated. Meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis were performed using Review Manager and R language.

RESULTS

A total of 10 articles were included with 836 MBM patients. Direct comparison showed that stereotactic radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy (SRS + IT) was superior to IT (HR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.52-0.84) or SRS (HR = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.63-1.03) alone in improving intracranial progression-free survival (PFS). In terms of overall survival (OS), SRS + IT was superior to SRS alone (HR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.49-0.83), or IT (HR = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.29-1.21). Rank probability and surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) by indirect comparison showed that SRS + IT had the best effect on improving intracranial PFS (0.88) and OS (0.98). Additionally, various combination therapies, especially SRS + IT (0.72), increased the incidence of radiation necrosis (RN). In direct comparisons, SRS + IT (RR = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.47-1.83) and SRS + TT (targeted therapy) (RR = 0.24, 95%CI = 0.10-0.56) did not increase intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) compared with SRS.

CONCLUSIONS

SRS + IT treatment was the best choice for MBM patients in both intracranial PFS and OS, even though it also led to an increased probability of RN.

Uveal melanoma modeling in mice and zebrafish

Despite extensive research and refined therapeutic options, the survival for metastasized uveal melanoma (UM) patients has not improved significantly. UM, a malignant tumor originating from melanocytes in the uveal tract, can be asymptomatic and small tumors may be detected only during routine ophthalmic exams; making early detection and treatment difficult. UM is the result of a number of characteristic somatic alterations which are associated with prognosis. Although UM morphology and biology have been extensively studied, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the early stages of UM tumor evolution and effective treatment to prevent metastatic disease remain elusive. A better understanding of the mechanisms that enable UM cells to thrive and successfully metastasize is crucial to improve treatment efficacy and survival rates. For more than forty years, animal models have been used to investigate the biology of UM. This has led to a number of essential mechanisms and pathways involved in UM aetiology. These models have also been used to evaluate the effectiveness of various drugs and treatment protocols. Here, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms and pharmacological studies using mouse and zebrafish UM models. Finally, we highlight promising therapeutics and discuss future considerations using UM models such as optimal inoculation sites, use of BAP1mut-cell lines and the rise of zebrafish models.

The emerging landscape of neo/adjuvant immunotherapy in renal cell carcinoma

Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies that reduce the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) recurrence remain an area of unmet need. Advances have been made in metastatic RCC recently by leveraging PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). These agents are currently being investigated in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings to determine if intervention early in the disease trajectory offers a clinically meaningful benefit. While a disease-free survival benefit has been demonstrated with pembrolizumab, results from other ICI studies have not been positive to date. More mature data from these studies are needed to determine whether there is a survival benefit to ICIs in the curative-intent setting. The success of ICIs has also ushered a new wave of studies combining ICIs with other agents such as targeted therapies and vaccines, which are in early stages of investigation. We review the current state of adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy in RCC and highlight opportunities for ongoing study.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Urethra: A Rare Finding

Primary urinary tract metastatic melanoma is an extremely rare cancer involving the urinary tract. In the majority of melanomas, skin melanocytes can become damaged by ultraviolet radiation and cause melanoma. However, in rare cases, melanocytes in mucosal tissue can develop into melanoma, which can be challenging to diagnose and treat. This case report describes managing and treating a patient with an extremely rare primary cancer finding. We describe the case of a patient who was diagnosed with primary metastatic melanoma of the urinary tract following an extensive and detailed diagnostic period of 2.5 months. After review by an interdisciplinary tumor board and a shared decision-making process with the patient, he agreed to immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab. The patient survived nearly five months after the initiation of treatment. The cause of death was challenging to determine due to it being unwitnessed; however, it is suspected to be cardiovascular-related, owing to a history of severe cardiovascular disease and an acute stress event prior to death.

BRAFV600 variant allele frequency predicts outcome in metastatic melanoma patients treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors

BACKGROUND

The prognostic impact of variant allele frequency (VAF) on clinical outcome in BRAFV600 mutated metastatic melanoma patients (MMPs) receiving BRAF (BRAFi) and MEK inhibitors (MEKi) is unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cohort of MMPs receiving first line BRAFi and MEKi was identified by inspecting dedicated databases of three Italian Melanoma Intergroup centres. VAF was determined by next generation sequencing in pre-treatment baseline tissue samples. Correlation between VAF and BRAF copy number variation was analysed in an ancillary study by using a training and a validation cohort of melanoma tissue samples and cell lines.

RESULTS

Overall, 107 MMPs were included in the study. The VAF cut-off determined by ROC curve was 41.3%. At multivariate analysis, progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly shorter in patients with M1c/M1d [HR 2.25 (95% CI 1.41-3.6, p < 0.01)], in those with VAF >41.3% [HR 1.62 (95% CI 1.04-2.54, p < 0.05)] and in those with ECOG PS ≥1 [HR 1.82 (95% CI 1.15-2.88, p < 0.05)]. Overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter in patients with M1c/M1d [HR 2.01 (95% CI 1.25-3.25, p < 0.01)]. Furthermore, OS was shorter in patients with VAF >41.3% [HR 1.46 (95% CI 0.93-2.29, p = 0.06)] and in patients with ECOG PS ≥1 [HR 1.52 (95% CI 0.94-2.87, p = 0.14)]. BRAF gene amplification was found in 11% and 7% of samples in the training and validation cohort, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

High VAF is an independent poor prognostic factor in MMP receiving BRAFi and MEKi. High VAF and BRAF amplification coexist in 7%-11% of patients.

Pursuit or discontinuation of anti-PD1 after 2 years of treatment in long-term responder patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Background

The optimal duration of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be determined. Treatment durations in cornerstone phase 3 clinical trials vary between a fixed 2-year duration and pursuit until disease progression. Clinical practices may thus differ according to the attending physician.

Objectives

Here we provide real-world data about treatment decisions at 2 years, with subsequent clinical outcomes.

Design and Methods

This multicentric observational study included patients with advanced NSCLC whose disease was controlled after 2 years of pembrolizumab or nivolumab. The primary outcome was the decision to discontinue ICI treatment or not, along with factors motivating this decision. Secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS) (according to treatment continuation or not) and adverse events.

Results

A total of 91 patients were included, of which 60 (66%) had been pre-treated. The programmed death-ligand 1 expression level was ⩾50% in 43 patients (47%). In 61 patients (67%), ICI was continued after 2 years of treatment. This decision was significantly associated with the care center (p < 0.001) but neither with the tumor response at 2 years, as evaluated by CT scan or PET scan, nor with clinical status, immune-related adverse events, or previous locally treated oligo-progressive disease under ICI. Two years after the 2-year decision, PFS was 68.5%, [95% confidence interval (CI) (53.3-88.0)] in the 'ICI discontinuation' group and 64.1% [95% CI (51.9-79.2)] in the 'ICI pursuit' group; hazard ratio for relapse was 1.14 [95% CI (0.54-2.30), p = 0.77]. The overall survival rate at 24 months after discontinuation was 89.2% [95% CI (78.4-100)] for the 'discontinuation' group and 93.1% [95% CI (85.8-100)] for the 'pursuit' group. Given insufficient power, overall survival could not be compared.

Conclusion

The decision to continue ICI or not after 2 years of treatment depends mainly on the care center and does not seem to impact survival. Larger, randomized data sets are required to confirm this result.

Development and Validation of a Prognostic Risk Model for Patients with Advanced Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Risk stratification tools for patients with advanced melanoma (AM) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are lacking. We identified a new prognostic model associated with overall survival (OS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 318 treatment naïve patients with AM receiving ICI were collected from a multi-centre retrospective cohort study. LASSO Cox regression identified independent prognostic factors associated with OS. Model validation was carried out on 500 iterations of bootstrapped samples. Harrel's C-index was calculated and internally validated to outline the model's discriminatory performance. External validation was carried out in 142 advanced melanoma patients receiving ICI in later lines.

RESULTS

High white blood cell count (WBC), high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), low albumin, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≥1, and the presence of liver metastases were included in the model. Patients were parsed into 3 risk groups: favorable (0-1 factors) OS of 52.9 months, intermediate (2-3 factors) OS 13.0 months, and poor (≥4 factors) OS 2.7 months. The C-index of the model from the discovery cohort was 0.69. External validation in later-lines (N = 142) of therapy demonstrated a c-index of 0.65.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver metastases, low albumin, high LDH, high WBC, and ECOG≥1 can be combined into a prognostic model for AM patients treated with ICI.

Treatment management for BRAF-mutant melanoma patients with tumor recurrence on adjuvant therapy: a multicenter study from the prospective skin cancer registry ADOREG

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant therapy with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) or BRAF/MEK-directed targeted therapy (TT) improves recurrence-free survival (RFS) for patients with advanced, BRAFV600-mutant (BRAFmut) resected melanoma. However, 40% of these patients will develop distant metastases (DM) within 5 years, which require systemic therapy. Little data exist to guide the choice of upfront adjuvant therapy or treatment management upon DM. This study evaluated the efficacy of subsequent treatments following tumor recurrence upon upfront adjuvant therapy.

METHODS

For this multicenter cohort study, we identified 515 BRAFmut patients with resected stage III melanoma who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors (anti-PD1) or TT in the adjuvant setting. Disease characteristics, treatment regimens, details on tumor recurrence, subsequent treatment management, and survival outcomes were collected within the prospective, real-world skin cancer registry ADOReg. Primary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) following DM and best tumor response to first-line (1L) treatments.

RESULTS

Among 515 eligible patients, 273 patients received adjuvant anti-PD1 and 242 adjuvant TT. At a median follow-up of 21 months, 54.6% of anti-PD1 patients and 36.4% of TT patients recurred, while 39.6% (anti-PD1) and 29.3% (TT) developed DM. Risk of recurrence was significantly reduced in patients treated with TT compared with anti-PD1 (adjusted HR 0.52; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.68, p<0.001). Likewise, median RFS was significantly longer in TT-treated patients (31 vs 17 months, p<0.001). Patients who received TT as second adjuvant treatment upon locoregional recurrence had a longer RFS2 as compared with adjuvant CPI (41 vs 6 months, p=0.009). Patients who recurred at distant sites following adjuvant TT showed favorable response rates (42.9%) after switching to 1L ipilimumab+nivolumab (ipi+nivo). Patients with DM during adjuvant anti-PD1 achieved response rates of 58.7% after switching to 1L TT and 35.3% for 1L ipi+nivo. Overall, median PFS was significantly longer in patients who switched treatments for stage IV disease (median PFS 9 vs 5 months, p=0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

BRAFmut melanoma patients who developed DM upon upfront adjuvant therapy achieve favorable tumor control and prolonged PFS after switching treatment modalities in the first-line setting of stage IV disease. Patients with locoregional recurrence benefit from complete resection of recurrence followed by a second adjuvant treatment with TT.

Italian nivolumab Expanded Access Programme in melanoma adjuvant setting: patient outcomes and safety profile

INTRODUCTION

The CheckMate 238 randomised study demonstrated the relevant benefit in terms of recurrence-free survival (RFS) of nivolumab versus ipilimumab in resected stage IIIB-C or IV melanoma patients with a tolerable safety profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From November 2018 to June 2019, 611 patients with stage III and IV resected melanoma were enroled to receive nivolumab as part of an Italian Expanded Access Programme (EAP). According to stages, 77% were stage III while 141 (23%) were stage IV with no evidence of disease (NED). Among stage III, 121 patients had IIIA (19.8%).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 23 months, the RFS in the Intention-to-Treat (ITT) population was 76.6% at 1 year and 59.6% at 2 years; 1- and 2-year distant metastasis-free survival were 83.7% and 71.2%, respectively. The overall survival rate in the ITT population was 93.8% at 1 year and 85.5% at 2 years. No significant differences in RFS were observed according to BRAF status. Treatment-related adverse events of grades 3-4 occurred in 11.5% of patients.

CONCLUSION

This paper reports the results of the Italian Nivolumab EAP in the adjuvant setting of stage III and IV NED melanoma patients. Our results confirm in a real-life setting the clinical activity and safety of nivolumab reported in the CheckMate238 registrative/pivotal. The enroled cohort of 611 patients highlights the relevant clinical need in this setting, also confirmed by the very short accrual time, representing one of the largest series reported as adjuvant EAP with the longest follow-up.

Combatting the rising costs of cancer drugs; interventions from a university hospital's perspective

Rapid increase in cost continues to have negative impact on patients' accessibility to life-changing anticancer medications. Moreover, the rising cost does not equate to similar increase in medication effectiveness. We recognise our responsibility as a university hospital to tackle this imbalance and strive to provide high quality, sustainable, affordable and accessible care. An active approach in cost containment of expensive and innovative cancer drugs was adopted in our organisation to safeguard accessibility and improve quality of life for patients. In this article, we described four inverventions: 1) identify right patient and minimise overtreatment, 2) in-house medicine production for selected indications, 3) minimise medicine spillages and 4) effective procurement strategies. We call on other hospitals to take action and, favourably, to collaborate on a European level. Together, we will safeguard the current and future care of our patients.

Immunotherapy around the Clock: Impact of Infusion Timing on Stage IV Melanoma Outcomes

Although the impact of circadian timing on immunotherapy has yet to be integrated into clinical practice, chronoimmunotherapy is an emerging and promising field as circadian oscillations are observed in immune cell numbers as well as the expression of immunotherapy targets, e.g., programmed cell death protein-1 and its ligand programmed death ligand 1. Concurrent retrospective studies suggest that morning infusions may lead to higher effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and kidney cancer. This paper discusses the results of a retrospective study (2016-2022) exploring the impact of infusion timing on the outcomes of all 73 patients with stage IV melanoma receiving immunotherapy at a particular medical center. While the median overall survival (OS) was 24.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.04-39.8), for a median follow-up of 15.3 months, our results show that having more than 75% of infusions in the afternoon results in shorter median OS (14.9 vs. 38.1 months; hazard ratio 0.45 [CI 0.23-0.86]; p < 0.01) with more expressive impacts on particular subgroups: women, older patients, and patients with a lower tumor burden at the outset of immunotherapy. Our findings highlight the potential benefits of follow-up validation in prospective and translational randomized studies.

Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) Rechallenge in Advanced Melanoma Patients' Responders to a First Course of ICI: A Multicenter National Retrospective Study of the French Group of Skin Cancers (Groupe de Cancérologie Cutanée, GCC)

BACKGROUND

The long-term effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) rechallenge for progressive or recurrent advanced melanoma following previous disease control induced by ICI has not been thoroughly described in the literature.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective multicenter national real-life study, we enrolled patients who had been rechallenged with an ICI after achieving disease control with a first course of ICI, which was subsequently interrupted. The primary objective was to evaluate tumor response, while the secondary objectives included assessing the safety profile, identifying factors associated with tumor response, and evaluating survival outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 85 patients from 12 centers were included in the study. These patients had advanced (unresectable stage III or stage IV) melanoma that had been previously treated and controlled with a first course of ICI before undergoing rechallenge with ICI. The rechallenge treatments consisted of pembrolizumab (n = 44, 52%), nivolumab (n = 35, 41%), ipilimumab (n = 2, 2%), or ipilimumab plus nivolumab (n = 4, 5%). The best overall response rate was 54%. The best response was a complete response in 30 patients (35%), a partial response in 16 patients (19%), stable disease in 18 patients (21%) and progressive disease in 21 patients (25%). Twenty-eight adverse events (AEs) were reported in 23 patients (27%), including 18 grade 1-2 AEs in 14 patients (16%) and 10 grade 3-4 AEs in nine patients (11%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 21 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was not reached at the time of analysis. Patients who received another systemic treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapy or clinical trial) between the two courses of ICI had a lower response to rechallenge (p = 0.035) and shorter PFS (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Rechallenging advanced melanoma patients with ICI after previous disease control induced by these inhibitors resulted in high response rates (54%) and disease control (75%). Therefore, ICI rechallenge should be considered as a relevant therapeutic option.

Current and preclinical treatment options for Merkel cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, highly aggressive form of skin cancer with neuroendocrine features. The origin of this cancer is still unclear, but research in the last 15 years has demonstrated that MCC arises via two distinct etiologic pathways, i.e. virus and UV-induced. Considering the high mortality rate and the limited therapeutic options available, this review aims to highlight the significance of MCC research and the need for advancement in MCC treatment.

AREAS COVERED

With the advent of the immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies, we now have treatment options providing a survival benefit for patients with advanced MCC. However, the issue of primary and acquired resistance to these therapies remains a significant concern. Therefore, ongoing efforts seeking additional therapeutic targets and approaches for MCC therapy are a necessity. Through a comprehensive literature search, we provide an overview on recent preclinical and clinical studies with respect to MCC therapy.

EXPERT OPINION

Currently, the only evidence-based therapy for MCC is immune checkpoint blockade with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 for advanced patients. Neoadjuvant, adjuvant and combined immune checkpoint blockade are promising treatment options.

Discontinuation of anti-PD1 in advanced melanoma: an observational retrospective study from the Italian Melanoma Intergroup

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy has improved the survival of patients with stage IV melanoma. In responders, clinical benefits may be long-lasting and persist even after treatment discontinuation. The optimal duration of anti-PD1 (anti-Programmed cell death-1) therapy in metastatic melanoma patients remains to be elucidated. Moreover, limited data are available on clinical outcomes of patients that discontinued anti-PD1 immunotherapy in a real-life setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with metastatic melanoma who interrupted anti-PD-1 treatment in the in the absence of disease progression.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with advanced/metastatic melanoma treated with anti-PD1 immunotherapy at 23 Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI) centres. The study investigated the risk of relapse in patients who stopped anti-PD1 therapy due to CR (Complete response), treatment-related toxicity, or by their own choice after a long period of treatment. Clinical and biological factors associated with or without recurrence were evaluated.

RESULTS

The study population included 237 patients. The median age of patients was 68.9 years (standard deviation: 13; range 33-95). The median time on treatment was 33 months (standard deviation: 18, 7; range 1-98). Among the 237 patients, 128 (54%) interrupted the anti-PD1 for CR, 74 patients (31.2%) for adverse events (37 patients in CR, 27 patients in partial response (PR), ten patients in stable disease (SD), and 35 patients (14.8%) by their own choice (12 patients in CR, 17 patients in PR, and 6 patients in SD). After a mean follow-up of 21 months (range 1-81), PFS after anti-PD1 discontinuation was 85.7%. Thirty-four patients (14.3%) developed disease progression after a median of 12 months (range 1-35): ten patients (29.4%) after discontinuation in CR, 17 patients (50%) after discontinuation for treatment-related toxicity (seven in CR, five in PR, five in SD), and seven (20.6%) after discontinuation due to the patient's decision (two in CR, four in PR, one in SD). Only 7.8% of patients who interrupted in CR (10/128), along with 23% of patients who interrupted for limiting toxicity (17/74) and 20% of patients who interrupted by their own choice (7/35), developed recurrence. Regarding patients who discontinued therapy because of CR, we observed a negative association between recurrence and site of primary melanoma, especially mucosal sites (p = <0.05, HR (Hazard ratio) 15.57 IC (confidence interval) 95% 2.64-91.73). Moreover, M1b patients who achieved a CR showed a lower number of relapses (p = <0.05, HR 3.84 IC 95% 1.40-8.48).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows in a real-life setting that, with anti-PD-1 therapy, long-lasting responses, can be maintained after anti-PD1 interruption. In 70.6% of cases, recurrences were observed among patients who did not obtain a CR at treatment discontinuation.

Ipilimumab plus nivolumab in patients with symptomatic melanoma brain metastasis requiring corticosteroids

STUDY AIM

To investigate the efficacy of PD-1-directed antibody-based therapy in patients with symptomatic melanoma brain metastases (MBM) and concurrent treatment with corticosteroids.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients with cutaneous melanoma with symptomatic MBM and concurrent treatment with corticosteroids who received PD-1-directed antibody-based treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital London between 2016 and 2021. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), secondary outcomes were intracranial response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR). We used the Kaplan-Meier method to describe survival.

RESULTS

Between 2016 and 2021, 256 patients presented with metastatic melanoma, of whom 29 were eligible with symptomatic MBM requiring corticosteroids and receiving ipilimumab plus nivolumab. Median age was 54 (interquartile range 44, 66). Median OS was 5.45months (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.89, 29.40), with 21% of patients (95% CI 9%, 47%) alive after 3years. ORR was 28% (8/29) and DOR was 7.85months (95% CI 7.85, not estimably [NE]). Responding patients had a median OS of 56.4months (95% CI 46.03, NE). Elevated lactate dehydrogenase and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS> 2 were associated with poorer outcomes (median OS 29.4 versus 3.12months and 6.44 versus 5.13months), no such association was observed for corticosteroid dose, number of lesions, or line of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Patients with symptomatic MBM derive only modest benefit from combination immunotherapy treatment. Nevertheless, those with disease response have the potential to derive long-term benefit, justifying ipilimumab plus nivolumab in this group in the absence of other more effective treatment options.

A Descriptive Study of Repeated Hospitalizations and Survival of Patients with Metastatic Melanoma in the Northern Italian Region during 2004-2019

BACKGROUND

Survival rates for metastatic melanoma (MM) patients have improved in recent years, leading to major expenses and health resource use. We conducted a non-concurrent prospective study to describe the burden of hospitalization in a real-world setting for patients with MM.

METHODS

Patients were tracked throughout all hospital stays in 2004-2019 by means of hospital discharges. The number of hospitalizations, the rehospitalization rate, the average time spent in the hospital and the time span between consecutive admissions were evaluated. Relative survival was also calculated.

RESULTS

Overall, 1570 patients were identified at the first stay (56.5% in 2004-2011 and 43.7% in 2012-2019). A total of 8583 admissions were retrieved. The overall rehospitalization rate was 1.78 per patient/year (95%CI = 1.68-1.89); it increased significantly with the period of first stay (1.51, 95%CI = 1.40-1.64 in 2004-2011 and 2.11, 95%CI = 1.94-2.29 thereafter). The median time span between hospitalizations was lower for patients hospitalized after 2011 (16 vs. 26 months). An improvement in survival for males was highlighted.

CONCLUSIONS

The hospitalization rate of patients with MM was higher in the last years of the study. Compared with a shorter length of stay, patients were admitted to hospitals with a higher frequency. Knowledge of the burden of MM is essential for planning the allocation of healthcare resources.

Nivolumab + relatlimab for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma

INTRODUCTION

Though melanoma is one of the less common skin malignancies it accounts for the majority of deaths due to cutaneous cancers. The recent progress and drug approvals in targeted treatment and immunotherapy revolutionized the outcome of patients with metastatic disease, and now is also changing the landscape of adjuvant treatment in melanoma.

AREA COVERED

A combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 (nivolumab with ipilimumab) has demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival with recent data confirming median survival exceeding six years. However, the use of this immunotherapy combination is limited in routine practice to approximately half of the patients due to high toxicity with the majority of patients at risk of severe adverse events. The current efforts are to determine how best to integrate combination immunotherapy in different clinical scenarios and limit these drugs' toxicity. That is why novel strategies in immunotherapy are needed and one of the examples of such novelty are anti-LAG-3 antibodies (lymphocyte-activation gene 3). LAG-3 Inhibitor (relatlimab) in combination with nivolumab significantly improved PFS as compared to anti-PD-1 monotherapy in patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable melanoma. We describe the current status of combination of nivolumab+ relatlimab in the treatment of advanced melanoma patients based on the available data coming from pivotal clinical trials.

EXPERT OPINION

The most important question to be answered is what would be the place of this novel combination in the treatment planning strategy.

BRAF V600-Mutated Metastatic Melanoma and Targeted Therapy Resistance: An Update of the Current Knowledge

Melanoma is the most common cause of death in skin cancer due to its high metastatic potential. While targeted therapies have improved the care of patients with metastatic melanoma harboring the BRAFV600E mutation, these treatments are associated with a high frequency of resistance. Resistance factors are related to cellular adaptation as well as to changes in the tumor microenvironment. At the cellular level, resistance involves mutations, overexpression, activation, or inhibition of effectors involved in cell signaling pathways such as MAPK, PI3K/AKT, MITF, and epigenetic factors (miRNAs). In addition, several components of the melanoma microenvironment, such as soluble factors, collagen, and stromal cells also play a crucial role in this resistance. In fact, extracellular matrix remodeling impacts the physical and chemical properties with changes in the stiffness and acidity, respectively of the microenvironment. The cellular and immune components of the stroma are also affected, including immune cells and CAF. The aim of this manuscript is to review the mechanisms responsible for resistance to targeted therapies in BRAFV600E-mutated metastatic melanoma.

Sequencing Targeted and Immune Therapy in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma: Lessons Learned

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The treatment strategy for BRAF-mutated melanoma remains unsatisfactory, although the advent of immune checkpoint inhibition has improved the prognosis of advanced melanoma. This article reports current evidence on the efficacy and safety of sequential immunotherapy with targeted therapy in patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma. It discusses criteria for the use of available options in clinical practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

Targeted therapy provides rapid disease control in a relatively high proportion of patients, although the development of secondary resistance limits the duration of responses; in contrast, immunotherapy may induce slow but more durable responses in a subset of patients. Therefore, the identification of a combination strategy for the use of these therapies seems a promising perspective. Currently, inconsistent data have been obtained, but most studies indicate that the administration of BRAFi/MEKi prior to immune checkpoint inhibitors appears to reduce the efficacy of immunotherapy. On the contrary, several clinical and real-life studies suggest that frontline immunotherapy with subsequent targeted therapy may be associated with better tumor control than immunotherapy alone. Larger clinical studies are ongoing to confirm the efficacy and safety of this sequencing strategy for treating BRAF-mutated melanoma with immunotherapy followed by targeted therapy.

Chemotherapy in Cutaneous Melanoma: Is There Still a Role?

Purpose of Review

In the preceding decade, the management of metastatic cutaneous melanoma has been revolutionised with the development of highly effective therapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors (specifically CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors) and targeted therapies (BRAF and MEK inhibitors). The role of chemotherapy in the contemporary management of melanoma is undefined.

Recent Findings

Extended analyses highlight substantially improved 5-year survival rates of approximately 50% in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with first-line therapies. However, most patients will progress on these first-line treatments. Sequencing of chemotherapy following failure of targeted and immunotherapies is associated with low objective response rates and short progression-free survival, and thus, meaningful benefits to patients are minimal.

Summary

Chemotherapy has limited utility in the contemporary management of cutaneous melanoma (with a few exceptions, discussed herein) and should not be the standard treatment sequence following failure of first-line therapies. Instead, enrolment onto clinical trials should be standard-of-care in these patients.

Plasma exosome-derived connexin43 as a promising biomarker for melanoma patients

BACKGROUND

To examine the levels of exosome-derived connexin 43 (Cx43) in plasma and estimate its forecast value in patients with melanoma.

METHODS

We measured the plasma exosome-derived Cx43 levels in the plasma of 112 melanoma patients and 50 healthy controls.

RESULTS

The plasma exosome-derived Cx43 levels in patients with melanoma were substantially downregulated as opposed to the levels in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were poorer in patients with melanoma who exhibited lower levels of plasma exosome-derived Cx43 (both P < 0.001). The levels of plasma exosome-derived Cx43 were considerably elevated in patients with melanoma whose tumor was situated in the skin, tumor size < 10 cm, with Clark level I-III, TNM stages IIb-IV, and had no lymph node metastasis as opposed to patients whose tumor was situated in the viscera or mucosa, tumor size ≥ 10 cm, Clark level IV-V, TNM stages IIb-IV and had lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of plasma exosome-derived Cx43 for forecasting 5-year DFS in patients with melanoma was 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70-0.86), with a specificity of 77.78% and a sensitivity of 81.55%. The ROC of plasma exosome-derived Cx43 for forecasting 5-year OS of patients with melanoma was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.68-0.84), with a specificity of 80.0% and sensitivity of 65.98%.

CONCLUSION

The overall findings indicated that the levels of plasma exosome-derived Cx43 in patients with melanoma were considerably downregulated. It can therefore be inferred that the levels of plasma exosome-derived Cx43 might be a prospective prognostic indicator for 5 5-year OS and 5-year DFS of patients with melanoma.

Treatment of Recurrent Melanoma Following Adjuvant Therapy

In the era of effective therapies in melanoma, notably the widespread use of two types of adjuvant treatments: anti-PD-1 immunotherapies and therapies targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, for BRAF-mutant patients, an important question arises about how to treat these patients in case of recurrent melanoma following adjuvant therapy. Prospective data are lacking in this area and might be difficult to obtain due to the constant progress being made in the field. Therefore, we reviewed available data suggesting that the initial adjuvant treatment received and the following events provide information about the biology of the disease and the probability of response to following systemic treatments. Thus, in case of relapse during or just after adjuvant anti-PD-1, immune resistance is probable, an anti-PD-1 monotherapy rechallenge has a low likelihood of clinical benefit, and escalation with a combination of immunotherapies should be given priority. In case of relapse during treatment with BRAF plus MEK inhibitors, there may be a risk of lower efficacy of immunotherapy than in naïve patients since this relapse attests not only to a resistance to BRAF-MEK inhibition, but also the introduction of immunotherapy to rescue a progression on targeted therapy. In case of relapse long after adjuvant treatment cessation, whatever the treatment received, no conclusion can be drawn about the efficacy of these drugs, and these patients can be treated like naïve patients. Thus, a combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA4 is probably the best solution, and the following line can be BRAF-MEK inhibitors in BRAF-mutated patients. Finally, in case of recurrent melanoma following adjuvant therapy, given the promising upcoming strategies, inclusion in a clinical trial should be offered as frequently as possible.

Seasonal variation in effect of anti-PD-1 initiation on overall survival among patients with advanced melanoma

Melanoma is a highly immunogenic cancer, and circannual rhythms influence the activity of the immune system. We retrospectively collected information on all cases with metastatic melanoma (ocular melanoma excluded) that initiated treatment with BRAF-inhibitor-based therapy (BRAFi) or anti-PD-1 monotherapy (PD-1). Cases were divided in two groups based on treatment initiation in the summer half-year (April to September) or winter half-year (October to March). We collected a total of 1054 (BRAF-i) and 1205 (PD-1) patient cases. Median follow-up was 39.7 (BRAFi) and 47.5 (PD-1) months. We did not observe differences in outcomes across patients who were treated in summer versus winter in the BRAFi cohort. Furthermore, we did not observe significant differences in ORR, CRR, and PFS in the PD-1 cohort. However, in patients with BRAF wild-type disease of the PD-1 cohort, treatment initiation in summer was associated with an improved OS (mOS 39.7 months [summer] versus 21.3 months [winter]; HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.57-0.86, p = .0007). This result remained robust to multivariable proportional hazards adjustment (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.57-0.87, p = .001). Initiation of immunotherapy in summer is associated with prolonged survival in patients with BRAF wild-type melanoma living in Denmark.

Adverse Events Associated with Encorafenib Plus Cetuximab in Patients with BRAFV600E-mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: An in-depth Analysis of the BEACON CRC Study

BACKGROUND

The BRAF inhibitor encorafenib in combination with cetuximab was recently approved for patients with BRAF^V600E-mutated (BRAF^V600Emut) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Approval was based on positive results from the phase 3 BEACON CRC study in BRAF^V600Emut mCRC patients who had progressed after 1-2 previous regimens. This analysis provides a detailed examination of the adverse events (AEs) of interest (AEIs) with encorafenib+cetuximab in the BEACON study to aid gastrointestinal oncologists, given the limited experience with this combination.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AEIs, including dermatological AEs, arthralgia/myalgia, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue/asthenia and nephrotoxicity, were examined in the doublet therapy group. Clinical characteristics associated with these AEs, AE grade, time to onset and time to resolution were also studied.

RESULTS

Safety analysis included 216/220 patients randomized to doublet therapy. The most commonly occurring AEI was dermatological toxicity (75.5%), followed by arthralgia/myalgia (56.0%) and fatigue/asthenia (56.0%). Other than nephrotoxicity (7 patients; 5/7 with Grade 3 or 4), most AEs were Grade 1 or 2. Most AEs were more common in women than men (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dermatological AEs, and arthralgia/myalgia). Nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain and fatigue/asthenia were more common in patients aged ≥70 years. Most AEs developed early, within the first 1-2 months of treatment, and resolved within 1-2 weeks. In addition, survival outcomes were better in patients experiencing arthralgia/myalgia or dermatological toxicities.

CONCLUSION

This analysis indicated that, except for rare cases of nephrotoxicity, encorafenib+cetuximab is well tolerated in most patients, with most AEIs being mild-to-moderate in severity, occurring early and resolving rapidly.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

the BEACON study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02928224; EudraCT, 2015-005805-35).

Metastatic Melanoma: Liquid Biopsy as a New Precision Medicine Approach

Precision medicine has driven a major change in the treatment of many forms of cancer. The discovery that each patient is different and each tumor mass has its own characteristics has shifted the focus of basic and clinical research to the singular individual. Liquid biopsy (LB), in this sense, presents new scenarios in personalized medicine through the study of molecules, factors, and tumor biomarkers in blood such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), exosomes and circulating tumor microRNAs (ct-miRNAs). Moreover, its easy application and complete absence of contraindications for the patient make this method applicable in a great many fields. Melanoma, given its highly heterogeneous characteristics, is a cancer form that could significantly benefit from the information linked to liquid biopsy, especially in the treatment management. In this review, we will focus our attention on the latest applications of liquid biopsy in metastatic melanoma and possible developments in the clinical setting.

The concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors and BRAF/MEK inhibitors in metastatic melanoma

BACKGROUND

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used by patients with cancer, although they could reduce the absorption of oral anticancer targeted therapies. The US Food and Drug Administration states that the effect of PPIs on the efficacy of dabrafenib use by patients with metastatic melanoma is unknown. As a precautionary measure, the European Society for Medical Oncology recommends avoiding PPIs for patients receiving dabrafenib.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of the concomitant use of PPIs and BRAF/MEK inhibitors in patients with metastatic melanoma.

METHODS

Patients with advanced melanoma receiving BRAF/MEK inhibitors as first-line treatments between 2015 and 2017 in France were selected using the French National Health Insurance database. We compared time-to-treatment discontinuation (TTD) and overall survival (OS) according to concomitant PPI exposure. We balanced the baseline characteristics of patients exposed and nonexposed to PPIs using an overlap weighting method based on a propensity score.

RESULTS

The metastatic melanoma cohort comprised 1028 patients receiving BRAF/MEK inhibitors, including 361 (35.1%) patients using PPIs. PPI users had more comorbidities and a more severe metastatic disease. After having equally distributed metastatic sites and comorbidities across patients exposed and nonexposed to PPIs, concomitant PPI use was not associated with shorter TTD [weighted hazard ratio (wHR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86-1.24] or OS (wHR 1.11, 95% CI 0.88-1.39). Consistent results were observed when restricting the population to patients receiving dabrafenib, or when narrowing exposure to PPIs with stronger inhibition of cytochromes.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population-based cohort of patients with advanced melanoma, the concomitant use of PPIs and BRAF/MEK inhibitors was not associated with worse outcome.

Immunotherapy Assessment: A New Paradigm for Radiologists

Immunotherapy denotes an exemplar change in an oncological setting. Despite the effective application of these treatments across a broad range of tumors, only a minority of patients have beneficial effects. The efficacy of immunotherapy is affected by several factors, including human immunity, which is strongly correlated to genetic features, such as intra-tumor heterogeneity. Classic imaging assessment, based on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is useful for conventional treatments, has a limited role in immunotherapy. The reason is due to different patterns of response and/or progression during this kind of treatment which differs from those seen during other treatments, such as the possibility to assess the wide spectrum of immunotherapy-correlated toxic effects (ir-AEs) as soon as possible. In addition, considering the unusual response patterns, the limits of conventional response criteria and the necessity of using related immune-response criteria are clear. Radiomics analysis is a recent field of great interest in a radiological setting and recently it has grown the idea that we could identify patients who will be fit for this treatment or who will develop ir-AEs.

Immune-related gene signature associates with immune landscape and predicts prognosis accurately in patients with skin cutaneous melanoma

Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is the skin cancer that causes the highest number of deaths worldwide. There is growing evidence that the tumour immune microenvironment is associated with cancer prognosis, however, there is little research on the role of immune status in melanoma prognosis. In this study, data on patients with Skin cutaneous melanoma were downloaded from the GEO, TCGA, and GTEx databases. Genes associated with the immune pathway were screened from published papers and lncRNAs associated with them were identified. We performed immune microenvironment and functional enrichment analyses. The analysis was followed by applying univariate/multivariate Cox regression algorithms to finally identify three lncRNAs associated with the immune pathway for the construction of prognostic prediction models (CXCL10, RXRG, and SCG2). This stepwise downscaling method, which finally screens out prognostic factors and key genes and then uses them to build a risk model, has excellent predictive power. According to analyses of the model's reliability, it was able to differentiate the prognostic value and continued existence of Skin cutaneous melanoma patient populations more effectively. This study is an analysis of the immune pathway that leads lncRNAs in Skin cutaneous melanoma in an effort to open up new treatment avenues for Skin cutaneous melanoma.

Phytochemical Constituents and Derivatives of Cannabis sativa; Bridging the Gap in Melanoma Treatment

Melanoma is deadly, physically impairing, and has ongoing treatment deficiencies. Current treatment regimens include surgery, targeted kinase inhibitors, immunotherapy, and combined approaches. Each of these treatments face pitfalls, with diminutive five-year survival in patients with advanced metastatic invasion of lymph and secondary organ tissues. Polyphenolic compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids; both natural and synthetic, have emerging evidence of nutraceutical, cosmetic and pharmacological potential, including specific anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and palliative utility. Cannabis sativa is a wellspring of medicinal compounds whose direct and adjunctive application may offer considerable relief for melanoma suffers worldwide. This review aims to address the diverse applications of C. sativa's biocompounds in the scope of melanoma and suggest it as a strong candidate for ongoing pharmacological evaluation.

Gastro-intestinal metastasis from Melanoma: Clinico-pathological clues

INTRODUCTION

Metastasis from melanoma in the gastro-intestinal tract is a frequent event but, in the absence of an adequate clinical context and oncological anamnesis, it could be misdiagnosed by the pathologists. Moreover, amelanotic and/or poorly differentiated metastasis from melanoma in the gastro-intestinal tract can be easily underestimated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We describe the histological features of gastro-intestinal metastasis from melanoma in a multi-centric cohort of 49 patients. In 24/49 patients, we were able to compare histological findings such as the growth pattern and the melanotic pigment also in the primary melanoma.

RESULTS

The epithelioid pattern is the most common growth pattern observed in gastro-intestinal metastasis (57 %), followed by the mixed pattern (41 %) and the spindled pattern (2 %). We documented a discordant growth pattern between metastasis and primary in 9/24 cases and the absence of melanotic pigment in 8/49 cases.

DISCUSSION

Our experience highlights that pathologists should take into account the possibility of gastro-intestinal metastasis from melanoma also in cases with spindled-cells/amelanotic lesions, without a previous anamnesis of melanoma asportation, and in cases of a discordant growth pattern with the primary. A correct clinical integration and an aware immunohistochemical approach are imperative to best manage the bioptic sample in order to investigate the biological profiling and therefore plan a personalizated therapy.

Current status and novel insights into the role of metastasectomy in the era of immunotherapy

INTRODUCTION

New perspectives on the role of metastasectomy have emerged along with the advances in cancer immunotherapy. Despite accumulating evidence that encourages the use of immunotherapy in the metastatic setting, current data regarding its combination with surgical resection of secondary lesions, as well as the best timeline and sequence of such a therapeutic approach is limited.

AREAS COVERED

We review the currently available literature on the role of metastasectomy in the era of novel immunotherapeutic agents and provide comprehensive evidence from ongoing trials about the available treatment strategies. In metastatic melanoma, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) play a key role both in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting to achieve long-term disease control. In metastatic renal cell carcinoma, investigation is ongoing regarding the emerging role of ICIs before metastasectomy. ICIs have improved outcomes in patients with metastatic colorectal and head and neck cancer.

EXPERT OPINION

In the neoadjuvant setting, the high response rates and the durability of responses to immunotherapy may enable the resectability of metastatic lesions. In the adjuvant setting post metastasectomy, immunotherapy constitutes a safe and efficacious approach to support immune tumor surveillance and delay or even prevent disease relapse. Patient participation in relevant clinical trials should be encouraged.

Evolving Management of Stage IV Melanoma

Significant advancements have been made in the treatment of advanced melanoma with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, novel immunotherapies, and BRAF/MEK-targeted therapies with numerous frontline treatment options. However, there remains suboptimal evidence to guide treatment decisions in many patients. These include patients with newly diagnosed disease, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-resistant/ICI-refractory disease, CNS metastases, history of autoimmune disease, and/or immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare melanoma associated with a poor prognosis in the metastatic setting. Systemic treatments, including checkpoint inhibitors, failed to demonstrate any survival benefit. Tebentafusp, a bispecific molecule, is the first treatment to improve overall survival (OS) in patients with HLA A*02:01-positive metastatic UM.

COLUMBUS 5-Year Update: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Trial of Encorafenib Plus Binimetinib Versus Vemurafenib or Encorafenib in Patients With BRAF V600-Mutant Melanoma

PURPOSE

Combination treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors has demonstrated benefits on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and is a standard of care for the treatment of advanced BRAF V600-mutant melanoma. Here, we report the 5-year update from the COLUMBUS trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01909453).

METHODS

Patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic BRAF V600-mutant melanoma, untreated or progressed after first-line immunotherapy, were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to encorafenib 450 mg once daily plus binimetinib 45 mg twice daily, vemurafenib 960 mg twice daily, or encorafenib 300 mg once daily. An updated analysis was conducted 65 months after the last patient was randomly assigned.

RESULTS

Five hundred seventy-seven patients were randomly assigned: 192 to encorafenib plus binimetinib, 191 to vemurafenib, and 194 to encorafenib. The 5-year PFS and OS rates with encorafenib plus binimetinib were 23% and 35% overall and 31% and 45% in those with normal lactate dehydrogenase levels, respectively. In comparison, the 5-year PFS and OS rates with vemurafenib were 10% and 21% overall and 12% and 28% in those with normal lactate dehydrogenase levels, respectively. The median duration of response with encorafenib plus binimetinib was 18.6 months, with disease control achieved in 92.2% of patients. In comparison, the median duration of response with vemurafenib was 12.3 months, with disease control achieved in 81.2% of patients. Long-term follow-up showed no new safety concerns, and results were consistent with the known tolerability profile of encorafenib plus binimetinib. Interactive visualization of the data presented in this article is available at COLUMBUS dashboard.

CONCLUSION

In this 5-year update of part 1 of the COLUMBUS trial, encorafenib plus binimetinib treatment demonstrated continued long-term benefits and a consistent safety profile in patients with BRAF V600-mutant melanoma.

Targeting the epigenome in malignant melanoma: Facts, challenges and therapeutic promises

Malignant melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer with high rates of mortality. Although current treatment options provide a short-clinical benefit, acquired-drug resistance highlights the low 5-year survival rate among patients with advanced stage of the disease. In parallel, the involvement of an aberrant epigenetic landscape, (e.g., alterations in DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications marks and expression of non-coding RNAs), in addition to the genetic background, has been also associated with the onset and progression of melanoma. In this review article, we report on current therapeutic options in melanoma treatment with a focus on distinct epigenetic alterations and how their reversal, by specific drug compounds, can restore a normal phenotype. In particular, we concentrate on how single and/or combinatorial therapeutic approaches have utilized epigenetic drug compounds in being effective against malignant melanoma. Finally, the role of deregulated epigenetic mechanisms in promoting drug resistance to targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors is presented leading to the development of newly synthesized and/or improved drug compounds capable of targeting the epigenome of malignant melanoma.

The Analysis of Trends in Survival for Patients with Melanoma Brain Metastases with Introduction of Novel Therapeutic Options before the Era of Combined Immunotherapy-Multicenter Italian-Polish Report

Stage IV melanoma patients develop melanoma brain metastases (MBM) in 50% of cases. Their prognosis is improving, and its understanding outside the context of clinical trials is relevant. We have retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, course of treatment, and outcomes of 531 subsequent stage IV melanoma patients with BM treated in five reference Italian and Polish melanoma centers between 2014 and 2021. Patients with MBM after 2017 had a better prognosis, with a significantly improved median of overall survival (OS) after 2017 in the worst mol-GPA prognostic groups (mol-GPA ≤ 2): a median OS >6 months and HR 0.76 vs. those treated before 2017 (CI: 0.60−0.97, p = 0.027). In our prognostic model, mol-GPA was highly predictive for survival, and symptoms without steroid use did not have prognostic significance. Local therapy significantly improved survival regardless of the year of diagnosis (treated before or after 2017), with median survival >12 months. Systemic therapy improved outcomes when it was combined with local therapy. Local surgery was associated with improved OS regardless of the timing related to treatment start (i.e., before or after 30 days from MBM diagnosis). Local and systemic treatment significantly prolong survival for the poorest mol-GPA prognosis. Use of modern treatment modalities is justified in all mol-GPA prognostic groups.

The future of targeted kinase inhibitors in melanoma

Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells of the body and its incidence is rising. Targeted inhibitors that act against kinases in the MAPK pathway are approved for BRAF-mutant metastatic cutaneous melanoma and increase patients' survival. Response to these therapies is limited by drug resistance and is less durable than with immune checkpoint inhibition. Conversely, rare melanoma subtypes have few therapeutic options for advanced disease and MAPK pathway targeting agents show minimal anti-tumor effects. Nevertheless, there is a future for targeted kinase inhibitors in melanoma: in new applications such as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy and in novel combinations with immunotherapies or other targeted therapies. Pre-clinical studies continue to identify tumor dependencies and their corresponding actionable drug targets, paving the way for rational targeted kinase inhibitor combinations as a personalized medicine approach for melanoma.