Long-term progression-free survival in metastatic uveal melanoma after chemoimmunotherapy and consolidation thermoablation

Validation of a Prognostic Staging for Metastatic Uveal Melanoma: A Collaborative Study of the European Ophthalmic Oncology Group

PURPOSE

To validate a staging system for metastatic uveal melanoma that will facilitate planning, reporting, and interpreting the results of clinical trials.

DESIGN

Reliability and validity study.

METHODS

The performance index, the largest diameter of the largest metastasis and alkaline phosphatase level at the time of diagnosis of metastases, and overall survival of 249 patients from 7 ocular oncology centers who died of dissemination were analyzed. Predicted median survival time calculated according to the Helsinki University Hospital Working Formulation was used to assign patients to stages IVa, IVb, and IVc, which correspond to predicted survival times of ≥12, <12-6, and <6 months, respectively. The predictions were compared against observed survival.

RESULTS

The 3 variables used to assign stage were independent predictors of survival in the validation dataset. Of the 249 patients, 110 (44%), 109 (44%), and 30 (12%) were classified to Working Formulation stages IVa, IVb, and IVc, respectively. Corresponding median observed survival times were 18.6, 10.7, and 4.6 months and worsened by increasing stage (P < .001). Of 201 patients managed without surgical resection of metastases, 83 (41%), 89 (44%), and 29 (15%) were classified to stages IVa, IVb, and IVc, respectively, and their median observed survival times were 17.2, 10.0, and 4.6 months (P < .001). Survival of 47 patients who underwent resection did not differ by working formulation stage (P = .69).

CONCLUSIONS

This multicenter study confirms that the Working Formulation is a reliable and valid, repeatable system for dividing metastatic uveal melanoma into distinct prognostic subgroups, especially for stage-specific reporting of survival in prospective clinical trials.

Management of uveal melanoma: a consensus-based provincial clinical practice guideline

INTRODUCTION

Survival in uveal melanoma has remained unchanged since the early 1970s. Because outcomes are highly related to the size of the tumour, timely and accurate diagnosis can increase the chance for cure.

METHODS

A consensus-based guideline was developed to inform practitioners. PubMed was searched for publications related to this topic. Reference lists of key publications were hand-searched. The National Guidelines Clearinghouse and individual guideline organizations were searched for relevant guidelines. Consensus discussions by a group of content experts from medical, radiation, and surgical oncology were used to formulate the recommendations.

RESULTS

Eighty-four publications, including five existing guidelines, formed the evidence base.

SUMMARY

Key recommendations highlight that, for uveal melanoma and its indeterminate melanocytic lesions in the uveal tract, management is complex and requires experienced specialists with training in ophthalmologic oncology. Staging examinations include serum and radiologic investigations. Large lesions are still most often treated with enucleation, and yet radiotherapy is the most common treatment for tumours that qualify. Adjuvant therapy has yet to demonstrate efficacy in reducing the risk of metastasis, and no systemic therapy clearly improves outcomes in metastatic disease. Where available, enrolment in clinical trials is encouraged for patients with metastatic disease. Highly selected patients might benefit from surgical resection of liver metastases.

Current and emerging treatment options for uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary malignant intraocular tumor in adults, with a 10-year cumulative metastatic rate of 34%. The most common site of metastasis is the liver (95%). Unfortunately, the current treatment of metastatic UM is limited by the lack of effective systemic therapy. Options for the management of the primary intraocular tumor include radical surgery as well as conservative treatments in order to preserve visual acuity. For metastatic disease, several approaches have been described with no standard method. Nevertheless, median survival after liver metastasis is poor, being around 4–6 months, with a 1-year survival of 10%–15%. In this review, the authors summarize current and promising new treatments for UM.