Metastasectomy for distant metastatic melanoma: analysis of data from the first Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial (MSLT-I)

Pulmonary Metastasectomy for Melanoma

Early-stage melanoma has a favorable prognosis with a 94% 5-year survival rate, but survival declines significantly with metastasis. Traditional treatments like metastasectomy have evolved due to advancements in targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, improving 5-year survival rates from 18% in 2009 to 52% in 2018. The lung is the most common site for metastasis, and the criteria for pulmonary metastasectomy have changed, allowing for surgical intervention even with extrapulmonary metastasis if complete resection is possible. This highlights the role of thoracic surgeons in selecting ideal candidates for surgery, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach and minimally invasive techniques.

Navigating the landscape of immune checkpoint inhibitors and novel immunotherapies in melanoma: long-term outcomes, progress, and challenges

INTRODUCTION

Melanoma has become the poster child for transformative outcomes in advanced malignancy from the use of immunotherapy over the last 10-15 years with median survival improving from ~ 1 to > 5 years. With the increasing repertoire of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and other novel immunotherapeutic approaches, integrating and sequencing treatments to create new paradigms has gained prominence, with focus on optimizing toxicity management and complex scenarios such as immunotherapy resistance, brain metastases, fertility, and duration of follow-up.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we summarize the progress and emerging evidence in melanoma treatments to date and consider management and possible future directions to improve outcomes for above-mentioned specific patient cohorts.

EXPERT OPINION

Personalized care with integration of novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers is the way forward in tailoring not only patient selection and choice of therapy, but also duration of treatment and surveillance to allow for early recurrence detection and access to newer therapies such as tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) to maximize the curative fraction of melanoma patients. Further research is needed in optimizing ICI and other immunotherapy toxicity management, including reducing steroid exposure for better patient outcomes and preserving quality of life.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver metastasis from clitoral malignant melanoma: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Malignant melanomas occur most commonly in the skin, mucous membranes, or choroid. Clitoral malignant melanomas are extremely rare. Stage IV malignant melanomas have a poor prognosis, and molecularly targeted agents or immune checkpoint inhibitors are recommended. However, surgical resection is reportedly a valid option for improving the prognosis of patients with oligometastases, defined as a small number of metastases that can be completely resected. In this report, we describe hepatic resection for a recurrent liver metastasis in a patient who had undergone removal of a clitoral malignant melanoma 9 years previously.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 82 year-old woman presented with a black nodule on her clitoris. Total resection of the nodule resulted in a diagnosis of clitoral malignant melanoma (pT4bN0M0, pStage IIC; UICC 8th edition). A follow-up computed tomography scan 4 years later revealed a single 5 mm mass in the lower lobe of the right lung, prompting partial resection of the right lung. Pathological examination of the operative specimen revealed a pulmonary metastasis of malignant melanoma. The patient was treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy as adjuvant chemotherapy for 1 year. A follow-up computed tomography scan 9 years after surgical removal of the primary lesion revealed an 18 mm mass in segment II of the liver, prompting robot-assisted laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy. The provisional diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma in the liver was confirmed by histopathological examination of the operative specimen. The patient was treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for 1 year. No further recurrence was detected at the 1.5 year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We performed hepatectomy for oligometastasis of clitoral malignant melanoma, an extremely rare entity. Surgery has the potential to prolong the prognosis of patients with oligometastasis.

Sharing the Burden: The Case for Definitive Local Therapy in Place of Immune Checkpoint Blockade for Patients With a Low-Volume Burden of Metastatic Disease

COMMENTARY

Sharing the burden of low-volume metastatic cancer between ICB and local treatments.

The Role of Surgery for Stage IV Melanoma

Historically, stage IV melanoma carried a dismal prognosis and surgical resection was the only potential treatment offering long-term survival or palliation of symptomatic disease. With modern systemic therapies that can provide durable disease control for many patients with metastatic disease, we are actively redefining the role of surgery in metastatic melanoma. Contemporary treatment strategies can employ surgical resection in the upfront setting followed by adjuvant therapy, or used in tailored approach following systemic therapy. The combination of surgical resection and modern therapies has been associated with good long-term survival.

Advancements in Melanoma Therapies: From Surgery to Immunotherapy

OPINION STATEMENT

Melanoma is defined as the most aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer. The treatment of melanoma depends on the disease stage, tumor location, and extent of its spread from its point of origin. Melanoma treatment has made significant advances, notably in the context of targeted and immunotherapies. Surgical resection is the main therapeutic option for earlystage melanoma, and it provides favourable outcomes. With disease metastasis, systemic treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy become increasingly important. The identification of mutations that lead to melanoma has influenced treatment strategies. Targeted therapies focusing on these mutations offer improved response rates and fewer toxicities than conventional chemotherapy. Furthermore, developing immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies, has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in effectively combating cancer cells. These therapeutic agents demonstrate superior effectiveness and a more tolerable side-effect profile, improving the quality of life for patients receiving treatment. The future of melanoma treatment may involve a multimodal approach consisting of a combination of surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy adapted to each patient's profile. This approach may improve survival rates and health outcomes.

Metastasectomy for metastatic melanoma in the era of effective systemic therapy

INTRODUCTION

Effective systemic therapy (EST) in patients with metachronous metastatic melanoma (MMM) improves survival and alters surgical decision-making. Surgical metastasectomy is another treatment option, however, it is unclear if metastasectomy confers survival benefit. This study seeks to identify any survival benefit associated with surgical management of MMM.

METHODS

Patients with MMM from 2009 to 2021 were grouped by receipt of metastasectomy and treatment era (pre-versus post-EST). Overall survival (OS) was calculated from date of metastasis and evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Our dataset identified 226 patients with MMM; 32% were diagnosed pre-EST. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, OS was improved for patients undergoing treatment post-versus pre-EST (p < 0.001). In the post-EST era, metastasectomy was associated with an increase in OS compared to no resection (p = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

In the post-EST group, EST paired with metastasectomy was associated with improved OS compared to the pre-EST group, suggesting persistent evidence of a survival benefit from metastasectomy.

Real-world relapse-free survival data on adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy for patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent stage III melanoma

We aimed to compare the relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients treated with adjuvant anti-programmed cell death-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy for a first diagnosis of stage III melanoma to patients treated after resection of the recurrences. Patients treated with adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy after complete resection of stage III melanoma between September 2018 and January 2021, were included. Depending on when adjuvant anti-PD-1 treatment was initiated, patients were divided over 2 cohorts: for the first diagnosis (cohort A) or for a second or subsequent diagnosis (cohort B) of stage III melanoma. Clinical data and RFS were compared between cohorts. 66 patients were included: 37 in cohort A, 29 in cohort B. Median follow-up time from the start of adjuvant therapy was 21 months and 17 months in cohorts A and B, respectively. Significant differences in ulceration of the primary tumor ( P  = 0.032), stage according to the 7th AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer , P  = 0.026) and type of metastatic involvement ( P  = 0.005) were found between cohorts. In cohorts A and B, 18 (49%) and 8 (28%) patients developed a recurrence and the 1-year RFS was 51% and 72%, respectively. In cohort B, RFS remained longer in the patients of which the interval between first diagnosis of stage III melanoma and start of adjuvant therapy was >48 months compared to ≤48 months (83% vs. 65%, P  = 0.253). This study demonstrates that patients with recurrent stage III disease, not previously treated with adjuvant systemic therapy, may derive similar benefit to a first diagnosis of stage III patients if access to adjuvant therapy changes.

Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) clinical practice guideline on immunotherapy for the treatment of melanoma, version 3.0

Since the first approval for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma more than a decade ago, immunotherapy has completely transformed the treatment landscape of this chemotherapy-resistant disease. Combination regimens including ICIs directed against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) with anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) agents or, more recently, anti-lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) agents, have gained regulatory approvals for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous melanoma, with long-term follow-up data suggesting the possibility of cure for some patients with advanced disease. In the resectable setting, adjuvant ICIs prolong recurrence-free survival, and neoadjuvant strategies are an active area of investigation. Other immunotherapy strategies, such as oncolytic virotherapy for injectable cutaneous melanoma and bispecific T-cell engager therapy for HLA-A*02:01 genotype-positive uveal melanoma, are also available to patients. Despite the remarkable efficacy of these regimens for many patients with cutaneous melanoma, traditional immunotherapy biomarkers (ie, programmed death-ligand 1 expression, tumor mutational burden, T-cell infiltrate and/or microsatellite stability) have failed to reliably predict response. Furthermore, ICIs are associated with unique toxicity profiles, particularly for the highly active combination of anti-PD-1 plus anti-CTLA-4 agents. The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) convened a panel of experts to develop this clinical practice guideline on immunotherapy for the treatment of melanoma, including rare subtypes of the disease (eg, uveal, mucosal), with the goal of improving patient care by providing guidance to the oncology community. Drawing from published data and clinical experience, the Expert Panel developed evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for healthcare professionals using immunotherapy to treat melanoma, with topics including therapy selection in the advanced and perioperative settings, intratumoral immunotherapy, when to use immunotherapy for patients with BRAFV600-mutated disease, management of patients with brain metastases, evaluation of treatment response, special patient populations, patient education, quality of life, and survivorship, among others.

Surgical Utilization and Outcomes for Patients with Stage IV Melanoma in the Modern Immunotherapy Era

BACKGROUND

The benefit of surgery for patients with stage IV melanoma in the modern era of effective immunotherapy is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate trends and outcomes after surgical resection of stage IV melanoma in the modern immunotherapy era.

METHODS

Patients with stage IV melanoma who received surgery, immunotherapy, or both from 2012 to 2017 were identified from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Demographics, facility-level characteristics, and use of immunotherapy were compared between patients who received surgery and those who did not. Multivariate Poisson regression modeling, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The study identified 9800 patients with stage IV melanoma, and 2160 of these patients (22 %) underwent surgery. The patients who received surgery were more likely to be younger (P < 0.001), to have private insurance (P < 0.001), to have a higher median income (P = 0.008), and to receive treatment at academic/research programs (P < 0.001), whereas they were less likely to receive immunotherapy (33.7 % vs 36.6 %; P = 0.013). The patients who received immunotherapy had a lower likelihood of undergoing surgery (relative risk [RR], 0.82; 95 % confidence interval [CI[, 0.75-0.88; P < 0.001). The patients who received both surgery and immunotherapy had a better overall survival rate (hazard ratio [HR], 0.41; 95 % CI, 0.36-0.46; P < 0.01) than the patients who received neither immunotherapy nor surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of immunotherapy was associated with a lower use of surgery for patients with stage IV melanoma. The patients with stage IV disease who received both surgery and immunotherapy had the highest overall survival rates.

Role of radiation in oligometastases and oligoprogression in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: consensus and controversy

INTRODUCTION

The oligometastatic state in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has recently become well-established. However, the specific definition of oligometastases remains unclear. Several smaller randomized studies have investigated the safety and efficacy of radiation as metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) in oligometastatic NSCLC, which have led the way to larger studies currently accruing patients globally.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the definitions of 'oligometastases' and explains why the oligometastatic state is becoming increasingly relevant in metastatic NSCLC. This includes the rationale for MDT in oligometastatic NSCLC, specifically reviewing stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a treatment strategy. This review details many randomized trials that support radiation as MDT and introduces trials that are currently accruing patients. Finally, it explores some of the controversies that warrant further investigation.

EXPERT OPINION

Radiation treatment, specifically SBRT, has been shown to be safe, convenient, and cost-effective as MDT. As systemic therapy, including targeted agents and immunotherapy, continues to improve, the precise role(s) and timing of radiation therapy may evolve. However, radiation therapy as MDT will continue to be an integral part of treatment in patients with oligometastatic NSCLC.

Local therapy in advanced melanoma after immune checkpoint inhibitors aiming to achieve complete response

Background and Objectives

New scenarios for local therapy have arisen after starting immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to treat advanced melanoma (AM). The aim of this study is to examine the role of local therapies with curative intention for patients with AM that have been on ICI.

Methods

This was a single institution, retrospective analysis of unresectable stage III or IV melanoma patients on treatment with anti-PD1 ± anti-CTLA-4 who underwent local therapy with curative intention with no other remaining sites of disease (NRD).

Results

Of the 170 patients treated with ICI, 19 (11.2%) met the criteria of curative intention. The median time on ICI before local therapy was 16.6 months (range: 0.92-43.2). At the time of the local treatment, the disease was controlled in 16 (84.25%) and progressing in 3 patients (15.75%); 14 patients (73.7%) treated a single lesion and 5 (26.3%) treated 2 to 3 lesions. In a median follow-up of 17 months (range: 1.51-38.2) after the local therapy and 9.8 months after the last ICI cycle (range: 0.56-31), only 2 (10.5%) out of 19 patients relapsed.

Conclusions

Patients with AM on treatment with ICI were able to achieve NRD after local treatment and may benefit from long-term disease control without systemic treatment.

Surgical Resection of Pulmonary Metastases from Melanoma in Oligometastatic Patients: Results from a Multicentric Study in the Era of Immunoncology and Targeted Therapy

In the last decade, the emergence of effective systemic therapies (ESTs) in the form of both targeted and immuno-based therapies has revolutionized the treatment of patients with advanced stage III and stage IV melanoma. Even though lungs represent the most frequent site of melanoma metastases, only limited data are available on the role of surgery in isolated pulmonary metastases from malignant melanoma (PmMM) in the era of ESTs. The aim of this study is to describe the outcomes of patients who underwent metastasectomy of PmMM in the era of ESTs, in order to identify prognostic factors affecting survival and to provide a framework for more informed patient selection of treatmeant with lung surgery in the future. Clinical data of 183 patients who underwent metastasectomy of PmMM between June 2008 and June 2021 were collected among four Italian Thoracic Centers. The main clinical, surgical and oncological variables reviewed were: sex, comorbidities, previous oncological history, melanoma histotypes and primary site, date of primary cancer surgical treatment, melanoma growth phase, Breslow thickness, mutation pattern disease, stage at diagnosis, metastatic sites, DFI (Disease Free Interval), characteristics of lung metastases (number, side, dimension, type of resection), adjuvant therapy after lung metastasectomy, site of recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS; defined as the time interval between the first melanoma resection or lung metastasectomy and death from cancer). All patients underwent surgical resection of the primary melanoma before lung metastasectomy. Twenty-six (14.2%) patients already had a synchronous lung metastasis at the time of primary melanoma diagnosis. A wedge resection was performed in 95.6% of cases to radically remove the pulmonary localizations, while an anatomical resection was necessary in the remaining cases. The incidence of major post-operative complications was null, while only 21 patients (11.5%) developed minor complications (mainly air leakage followed by atrial fibrillation). The mean in-hospital stay was 4.46 ± 2.8 days. Thirty- and sixty-day mortality were null. After lung surgery, 89.6% of the population underwent adjuvant treatments (47.0% immunotherapy, 42.6% targeted therapy). During a mean FUP of 107.2 ± 82.3 months, 69 (37.7%) patients died from melanoma disease, 11 (6.0%) from other causes. Seventy-three patients (39.9%) developed a recurrence of disease. Twenty-four (13.1%) patients developed extrapulmonary metastases after pulmonary metastasectomy. The CSS from melanoma resection was: 85% at 5 years, 71% at 10 years, 54% at 15 years, 42% at 20 years and 2% at 25 years. The 5- and 10-year CSS from lung metastasectomy were 71% and 26%, respectively. Prognostic factors negatively affecting CSS from lung metastasectomy at multivariable analysis were: melanoma vertical growth (p = 0.018), previous metastatic sites other than lung (p < 0.001) and DFI < 24 months (p = 0.007). Our results support the evidence that surgical indication confirms its important role in stage IV melanoma with resectable pulmonary metastases, and selected patients can still benefit from pulmonary metastasectomy in terms of overall cancer specific survival. Furthermore, the novel systemic therapies may contribute to prolonged survival after systemic recurrence following pulmonary metastasectomy. Patients with long DFI, radial growth melanoma phase and no site of metastatization other than lung seem to be the best candidate cases for lung metastasectomy; however, to drive stronger conclusions, further studies evaluating the role of metastasectomy in patients with iPmMM are needed.

Dermatosurgery - from surgical option to integral part of dermatologic therapy

Dermatosurgery was long considered an isolated, and not always important, discipline within dermatology. As a therapeutic option, it was considered either the gold standard of first-line therapy, for example in basal cell carcinoma surgery and treatment of early-stage melanoma, or the last option, for instance in the treatment of warts. The fact that a profound change has taken place and that dermatosurgery is now an integral, equal, sometimes leading and always significant component of dermatology will be demonstrated in this review using three examples from geriatric dermatology, the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa), and melanoma therapy. This review is supplemented by a section on the most important technique in dermatosurgery: microscopic (micrographic) surgery or Mohs Surgery.

Construction, validation and, visualization of a web-based nomogram to identify the best candidates for primary tumor resection in advanced cutaneous melanoma patients

Background

Existing studies have shown whether primary site resection (PSR) in cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients with stage IV is controversial. Our study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of CM patients with stage IV who benefited from PSR on a population-based study.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed stage IV CM patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2015. Patients were divided into surgical and non-surgical groups according to whether PSR was performed or not. According to the median cancer-specific survival (CSS) time of the non-surgery group, the surgical group was divided into the surgery-benefit group and the non-surgery-benefit group. Multivariate cox regression analysis was used to explore independent CSS prognostic factors in the surgical group. Then, based on the independent prognostic factors of the surgical group, we established a web-based nomogram based on logistics regression.

Results

A total of 574 stage IV CM patients were included in our study, and 491 (85.60%) patients were included in the surgical group. The clinical characteristics (benefit group and non-benefit group) included age, M stage, lesion location, and ulceration status. These independent prognostic factors were includeed to construct a web-based nomogram.

Conclusions

We constructed a web-based nomogram. This model was suitable for identifying the best candidates suitable for PSR in stage IV CM patients.

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.

The role of resection for melanoma metastases to the pancreas

BACKGROUND

Among patients with distant metastatic melanoma, the site of metastases is the most significant predictor of survival and visceral-nonpulmonary metastases hold the highest risk of poor outcomes. However, studies demonstrate that a significant percentage of patients may be considered candidates for resection with improved survival over nonsurgical therapeutic modalities. We aimed at analyzing the results of resection in patients with melanoma metastasis to the pancreas by assessing the available evidence.

METHODS

The PubMed/MEDLINE, WoS, and Embase electronic databases were systematically searched for articles reporting on the surgical treatment of pancreatic metastases from melanoma. Relevant data from included studies were assessed and analyzed. Overall survival was the primary endpoint of interest. Surgical details and oncological outcomes were also appraised.

RESULTS

A total of 109 patients treated surgically for pancreatic metastases were included across 72 articles and considered for data extraction. Overall, patients had a mean age of 51.8 years at diagnosis of pancreatic disease. The cumulative survival was 71%, 38%, and 26% at 1, 3 and 5 years after pancreatectomy, with an estimated median survival of 24 months. Incomplete resection and concomitant extrapancreatic metastasis were the only factors which significantly affected survival. Patients in whom the pancreas was the only metastatic site who received curative resection exhibited significantly longer survival, with a 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates of 76%, 43%, and 41%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of a review of non-randomized reports, curative surgical resection confers a survival benefit in carefully selected patients with pancreatic dissemination of melanoma.

Fifty years of progress in surgical oncology: Melanoma

This paper outlines the scientific and clinical advances in the treatment of melanoma over the past 50 years. Among the highlights of progress, the dominant themes include evidence-based reduction in the extent and morbidity of surgical procedures in patients with local or regional melanoma without compromising end results, and the introduction of effective systemic therapy, specifically targeted therapy matched to patients based on specific tumor mutations, and immune checkpoint blockade. Management of advanced disease has also changed dramatically, due to improved understanding of the genomic variability of the disease as well as continuing improvements in imaging.

Evidence from Clinical Studies Related to Dermatologic Surgeries for Skin Cancer

Simple Summary

Although significant progress in pharmacotherapy for skin cancer has been made in the past several years, surgical removal of primary skin cancer is still the first choice of treatment unless distant metastases are evident. In the surgical treatment of primary skin tumors, the surgical margin is critical not only for reducing the possibility of tumor recurrence but also for minimizing the cosmetic and functional complications associated with wide local excision. In contrast, dermatologic surgeries including lymph node dissection and skin graft can cause various complications, and these complications are frequently associated with significant morbidity and discomfort. In this review, we summarize the evidence from previous clinical studies regarding the optimal surgical margin for skin cancer and the methods for diminishing the complications associated with dermatologic surgery.

Abstract

Despite the significant progress made in the past several years in pharmacotherapies for skin cancer, such as BRAF/MEK inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and Hedgehog pathway inhibitors, surgical removal of primary skin cancer is still the first choice of treatment unless distant metastases are evident. In cases of lymph node metastases with clinically palpable lymphadenopathy, lymph node dissection (LND) is typically performed for most skin cancers. In the surgical treatment of primary skin tumors, the surgical margin is critical not only for reducing the possibility of tumor recurrence but also for minimizing the cosmetic and functional complications associated with wide local excision. In contrast, dermatologic surgery can cause various complications. Although skin graft is frequently used for reconstruction of the surgical defect, extensive graft necrosis may develop if optimal stabilization of the graft is not obtained. LND also sometimes causes complications such as intraoperative or postoperative bleeding and postoperative lymphoceles. Moreover, as in other types of surgery, surgical site infection, intraoperative anxiety, and intraoperative and postoperative pain may also develop. These complications are frequently associated with significant morbidity and discomfort. In this review, we summarize the evidence from previous clinical studies regarding the optimal surgical margin for skin cancer and the methods for diminishing the complications associated with dermatologic surgery.

The oligometastatic spectrum in the era of improved detection and modern systemic therapy

Metastases remain the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The oligometastasis hypothesis postulates that a spectrum of metastatic spread exists and that some patients with a limited burden of metastases can be cured with ablative therapy. Over the past decade, substantial advances in systemic therapies have resulted in considerable improvements in the outcomes of patients with metastatic cancers, warranting re-examination of the oligometastatic paradigm and the role of local ablative therapies within the context of the improved therapeutic responses, shifting patterns of disease recurrence and possible synergy with systemic treatments. Herein, we reframe the oligometastatic phenotype as a dynamic state for which locally ablative, metastasis-directed therapy improves clinical outcomes, including by prolonging survival and increasing cure rates. Important risk factors defining the metastatic spectrum are highlighted that inform both staging and therapy. Finally, we synthesize the literature on combining local therapies with modern systemic treatments, identifying general themes to optimally integrate ablative therapies in this context.

Outcomes After Curative Metastasectomy for Patients with Malignant Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Evidence on the role of curative metastasectomy (CM) for malignant melanoma (MM) patients is limited, especially in the current era of effective systemic therapy. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to ascertain the role of CM compared with incomplete or nonsurgical treatment for patients with MM.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched for studies investigating CM for MM until 30 September 2021. The review included studies that compared CM with no-CM and reported a hazard ratio (HR) after multivariate analysis for overall survival. A random-effects model with inverse variance was used to calculate pooled HR. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias.

RESULTS

For the final analysis, 40 studies including 31,282 patients (CM, 9958; no-CM, 21,324) were considered. Compared with no-CM, CM was associated with a significantly lower risk of death (HR, 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.47; p < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis showed that the outcome was independent of the effective systemic therapy and anatomic location of metastasis. An unfavorable prognosis was associated with advancing age, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), male gender, prior stage 3 disease, multiple metastases and organ sites, and shorter disease-free interval.

CONCLUSION

Curative metastasectomy for MM is associated with a lower risk of death than non-curative treatment methods. Selection bias and underlying weakness of studies reduced the strength of evidence in this review. However, CM should be a part of the multimodality treatment of MM whenever technically feasible.

Management of Regional Lymph Nodes in Head and Neck Melanoma

The utilization of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has transformed the workup and staging of intermediate-thickness cutaneous melanomas. SLN biopsy, performed at the time of primary tumor excision, accurately maps lymph nodes at risk of harboring occult metastatic deposits from head and neck cutaneous melanomas and represents the current standard of care. Completion lymphadenectomy identifies additional tumor in 12% to 24% of SLN biopsy positive cases but does not affect melanoma-specific survival.

Donald L. Morton Memorial Lecture: the legacy of Donald Morton: past, present and future

Donald L. Morton, MD persevered against great odds throughout his life and career. Beginning in the humblest of circumstances, he worked his way to the highest echelon of academic surgery, revolutionized surgical treatment of melanoma with innovations that rippled through the rest of oncology. His research led to dramatically improved disease staging while also decreasing morbidity. He stood as a champion of immunotherapy for many years when few others believed it would ever work. His greatest professional legacy, and the achievement of which he was most proud, is in the accomplishments of those he trained over his many years in the field.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Bladder: A Rare Case Report in Asia and Review of the Literature

Background

Primary malignant melanoma (PMM) of the bladder is extremely rare and has a poor prognosis; just 40 cases of PMM of the bladder have been recorded in the literature. We described a case of PMM of the bladder, treatment, and a review of the literature because the recommended treatment choices are not widely known.

Case Presentation

An 80-year-old Thai female came in with a three-month history of pelvic pain and dysuria without extensive hematuria. She underwent transurethral excision of the bladder tumor and histologically reported malignant melanoma with no further primary sites of melanoma after computed tomography indicated a big heterogeneous enhancing mass on the posterior wall of the bladder. The patient eventually underwent anterior pelvic exenteration with ileal conduit, but metastatic disease occurred one year later.

Conclusion

Bladder melanoma has a fatal aggressive nature. Certain diagnostic features can be obtained through histopathological investigation, immunohistochemistry, clinical history, and endoscopic evaluation. Despite a wide range of treatments, people with PMM still have a bad prognosis.

Role of Surgery in Stage IV Melanoma

Stage IV melanoma has a 5-year survival rate of 6%, but considerable advances have been made in systemic therapies. Systemic immunotherapy has achieved durable responses in up to 40% of patients, with similar improvements with targeted therapies. This has reshaped the landscape for surgery in stage IV melanoma. Metastasectomy can be considered in patients on systemic immunotherapy or targeted therapy with responding, stable, or isolated progressing lesions, oligometastatic disease, or long disease-free intervals. Surgery plays a role in providing tumor tissue for preparation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for adoptive cell therapy. Surgical palliation plays a role in patients with symptomatic metastases.

Survival Outcomes of Salvage Metastasectomy After Failure of Modern-Era Systemic Therapy for Melanoma

BACKGROUND

Metastasectomy for selected patients with melanoma was associated with improved survival in the era before effective systemic therapy. Emerging evidence shows that these benefits persist even in this era of BRAF-targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of salvage metastasectomy after failure of systemic therapy.

METHODS

Stage 3 or 4 melanoma patients with extracranial disease progression after at least 4 weeks of systemic treatment between 2009 and 2020 were identified and categorized as resected to no evidence of disease (NED), non-progressive residual disease (NPRD), or progressive residual disease (PRD). Systemic therapy was stratified into BRAF-targeted therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, or both. The end points of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and locoregional disease control (LRC) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression procedures were used to examine factors associated with OS, PFS and LRC.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 190 patients. Among all the patients, the 5-year OS from metastatectomy was 52%, the 3-year PFS was 21%, and the 5-year LRC was 61%. After resection to NED, NPRD, and PRD, the 5-year OS values were 69%, 62% and 8%, respectively. Fewer lines of preoperative therapy, use of preoperative immunotherapy, and resection to NED were predictors of improved OS. After resection to NED, NPRD, and PRD, the 3-year PFS values were 23%, 24% and 10%, and the 5-year LRC values were 61%, 72% and 34%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage metastasectomy was associated with durable survival and disease control, particularly after resection to NED, preoperative immunotherapy, and fewer lines of preoperative systemic therapy.

Recognition, Staging, and Management of Melanoma

Melanoma accounts for approximately 1% of all skin cancers but contributes to almost all skin cancer deaths. The developing picture suggests that melanoma phenotypes are driven by epigenetic mechanisms that reflect a complex interplay between genotype and environment. Furthermore, the growing consensus is that current classification standards, notwithstanding pertinent clinical history and appropriate biopsy, fall short of capturing the vast complexity of the disease. This article summarizes the current understanding of the clinical picture of melanoma, with a focus on the tremendous breakthroughs in molecular classification and therapeutics.

Landmark Series on Disparities in Surgical Oncology: Melanoma

BACKGROUND

Although the lifetime risk of melanoma is disproportionately higher in whites, blacks have a poorer overall survival with an absolute survival difference of 25%. Significant progress has been made in melanoma treatment in the past decade; however, these successes may not be available or accessible to all segments of the population.

METHODS

In this review, we highlight important studies in melanoma as well as informative retrospective studies from databases and nonmelanoma cancers where appropriate.

RESULTS

There are no level I evidence-based studies on disparities in melanoma, and most likely there will never be, but the studies presented herein and clinical experience demonstrate that disparities in clinical outcomes from melanoma exists.

CONCLUSIONS

By becoming aware of the disparities, we can help mitigate them by engagement, education, and corrective and empowering actions through awareness campaigns, appropriate clinical trial design, encouraging participation in clinical trials, increasing the diversity of providers, and advocacy.

Routine PET-CT scans provide early and accurate recurrence detection in asymptomatic stage IIB-III melanoma patients

INTRODUCTION

The use of routine imaging with 18F-FDG PET-CT (PET-CT) in melanoma surveillance is debated and evidence of its diagnostic value and yield in asymptomatic patients is limited. Denmark introduced nationwide routine surveillance with PET-CT in high-risk patients in 2016. The aim of this study was to examine the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, numbers-needed-to-scan and clinical impact of routine PET-CT in the surveillance of asymptomatic stage IIB-III melanoma patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data was retrieved from the population-based Danish Melanoma Database and patient records. All patients diagnosed with stage IIB-III melanoma at two University Hospitals in 2016 and 2017 were included. Patients underwent surveillance with clinical examinations and PET-CT scans at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months.

RESULTS

In 138 patients, 243 routine PET-CTs were performed within a median follow-up time of 17.7 months. Routine PET-CT detected recurrence at least once in 25 patients (18.1%), including distant recurrence in 19 patients (13.8%). Stage IIB patients had the lowest recurrence rate (11.1%). Numbers-needed-to-scan to detect one distant recurrence was 12.8 patients and median time-to-recurrence was 6.8 months. Sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 94.7% and negative and positive predictive values were 100% and 74.4%, respectively. False positive findings prompted 22 additional investigations (of which ten invasive) in 17 patients (12.3%).

CONCLUSION

Routine PET-CT has a high sensitivity and specificity when used in high-risk melanoma surveillance. Time-to-recurrence and stage-specific recurrence rates indicate high gain of early routine imaging at six months especially for stage IIC and III patients.

A Solitary Melanoma Metastasis Confined to the Submandibular Gland

Malignant melanoma is a type of cancer that most commonly originates from the skin, less frequently from mucosal surfaces, the eye, or meninges [Annu Rev Pathol. 2014;9(1):239-71]. In 2019, this type of malignancy was the third most frequent cancer to be diagnosed in males and the fifth most in females according to the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute [CA Cancer J Clin. 2019;69(5):363-85]. The majority of the malignant melanomas in the head and neck region (85-90%) are cutaneous lesions, most often arising in the skin of the face [Head Neck. 2016;38:147-155]. In sharp contrast are the histological findings of metastatic melanoma with an unknown primary site: they are much more scarce and histologically difficult to diagnose. The literature is limited to case studies or small cohorts. In 2-6% of all patients suffering from metastatic melanoma, after clinical examination of the skin and mucosa, imaging, and other diagnostic examination, a primary tumor cannot be found [Eur J Cancer. 2004;40(9):1454-5]. A very small subgroup (0.5%) presents with a single focus of melanoma within the dermis or subcutaneous tissues [Arch Dermatol. 2000;136(11):1397-9]. We hereby report a case in this subgroup of a solitary melanoma metastasis found in the submandibular gland in a 59-year-old male. The tumor was discovered incidentally after surgical excision of this gland because of nodular enlargement.

Neoadjuvant Cytoreductive Treatment With BRAF/MEK Inhibition of Prior Unresectable Regionally Advanced Melanoma to Allow Complete Surgical Resection, REDUCTOR: A Prospective, Single-arm, Open-label Phase II Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potency of short-term neoadjuvant cytoreductive therapy with dabrafenib plus trametinib (BRAF and MEK inhibitor) to allow for radical surgical resection in patients with unresectable locally advanced melanoma.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Approximately 5% of stage III melanoma patients presents with unresectable locally advanced disease, making standard of care with resection followed by adjuvant systemic therapy impossible. Although neoadjuvant targeted therapy has shown promising results in resectable stage III melanoma, its potency to enable surgical resection in patients with primarily unresectable locally advanced stage III melanoma is still unclear.

METHODS

In this prospective, single-arm, phase II trial, patients with unresectable BRAF-mutated locally advanced stage IIIC or oligometastatic stage IV melanoma were included. After 8 weeks of treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib, evaluation by positron emission tomography/computed tomography and physical examination were used to assess sufficient downsizing of the tumor to enable resection. The primary objective was the percentage of patients who achieved a radical (R0) resection.

RESULTS

Between August 2014 and March 2019, 21 patients (20/21 stage IIIC American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual 7th edition) were included. Planned inclusion of 25 patients was not reached due to slow accrual and changing treatment landscape. Despite this, the predefined endpoint was successfully met. In 18/21 (86%) patients a resection was performed, of which 17 were R0 resections. At a median follow-up of 50 months (interquartile range 37.7-57.1 months), median recurrence-free survival was 9.9 months (95% confidence interval 7.52-not reached) in patients undergoing surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective, single-arm, open-label phase II trial, shows neoadjuvant dabrafenib plus trametinib as a potent cytoreductive treatment, allowing radical resection of metastases in 17/21 (81%) patients with prior unresectable locally advanced melanoma.

Surgery vs non-surgery in cutaneous melanoma based on SEER database: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

This study was to assess the survival outcome of cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients with surgery vs non-surgery through inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using the propensity score. Patients diagnosed as CM were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database. The survival outcome was estimated and compared by IPTW using the propensity score. Totally 2203 CM patients were identified, in which 1921 cases received surgical treatment (surgery group), while 282 cases didn't (non-surgery group). The median survival time of surgery and non-surgery groups was respectively 150 months and 15 months (unmatched cohort), 70 months and 40 months (matched cohort) and 130 months vs. 75 months (IPTW-weighted cohort). Compared with the non-surgery group, the surgery group had a lower risk of death in unmatched [hazard ratio (HR): 0.647, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.509-0.821, P < .001] and matched (HR: 0.636, 95%CI: 0.459-0.882, P < .01) cohorts. In multivariate Cox model of IPTW-weighted cohort, the risk of death in the surgery group decreased notably than the non-surgery group (HR: 0.423, 95%CI: 0.383-0.468, P < .001). In conclusion, CM patients receiving surgical treatment are associated with a better survival outcome compared with those without surgical treatment through IPTW using the propensity score.

Oligoprogression After Checkpoint Inhibition in Metastatic Melanoma Treated With Locoregional Therapy: A Single-center Retrospective Analysis

Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have demonstrated a heterogenous spectrum of response and disease progression that may not be fully captured by conventional response criteria, such as a limited degree of progression, known as oligoprogression, which could benefit from local treatment. We retrospectively analyzed data from all patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, who received CPI between January 2006 and March 2018 at Royal Marsden. We enrolled 36 patients who experienced progression in a maximum of 3 metastatic sites, after achieving disease control from therapy with CPI, and were radically treated with the locoregional approach. We carried out Kaplan-Meier analysis to obtain progression free-survival post-first oligoprogression (PFS-PO1), overall survival (OS) post-first oligoprogression, and OS estimates. The median time to oligoprogression from the start of CPI was 12 months. At a median follow-up of 34 months, the median PFS-PO1 was 32 months, with 50% of patients not progressed at the time of the data cutoff. The median OS-post-first oligoprogression was not reached. At a median follow-up of 52 months (from the first cycle of CPI), the median OS was not reached, with 75% of patients alive at the time of analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that baseline American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IV M1a or M1b is associated with a longer PFS-PO1 compared with stage M1c or M1d. We observed that local therapy for oligoprogression after CPI can result in durable disease control, suggesting that locoregional treatment should be considered in patients being treated with immunotherapy. However, prospective evaluation, perhaps in randomized trials, is needed.

Tissue microRNA expression profiling in hepatic and pulmonary metastatic melanoma

Malignant melanoma has a propensity for the development of hepatic and pulmonary metastases. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules containing about 22 nucleotides that mediate protein expression and can contribute to cancer progression. We aim to identify clinically useful differences in miR expression in metastatic melanoma tissue. RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of hepatic and pulmonary metastatic melanoma, benign, nevi, and primary cutaneous melanoma. Assessment of miR expression was performed on purified RNA using the NanoString nCounter miRNA assay. miRs with greater than twofold change in expression when compared to other tumor sites (P value ≤ 0.05, modified t-test) were identified as dysregulated. Common gene targets were then identified among dysregulated miRs unique to each metastatic site. Melanoma metastatic to the liver had differential expression of 26 miRs compared to benign nevi and 16 miRs compared to primary melanoma (P < 0.048). Melanoma metastatic to the lung had differential expression of 19 miRs compared to benign nevi and 10 miRs compared to primary melanoma (P < 0.024). Compared to lung metastases, liver metastases had greater than twofold upregulation of four miRs, and 4.2-fold downregulation of miR-200c-3p (P < 0.0081). These findings indicate that sites of metastatic melanoma have unique miR profiles that may contribute to their development and localization. Further investigation of the utility of these miRs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and their impact on the development of metastatic melanoma is warranted.

Surgical treatment of melanoma metastases to the small bowel: A single cancer referral center real-life experience

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of metastatic melanoma has rapidly changed during the last years, and patients often require a multidisciplinary approach to achieve effective results. We aimed to assess the survival benefit achieved through surgical approach to patients with small bowel (SB) metastases from cutaneous melanoma, to emphasize the potential role of surgery in association with novel therapies.

METHODS

Ninety consecutive patients with cutaneous melanoma diagnosed as having resectable SB metastases from 1995 to 2015 were retrospectively investigated.

RESULTS

Median age at surgery of melanoma metastases was 53.4 years. Among 30 patients who had a curative-intent resection, the 5- and 10-year survival rates were 61% and 54%, respectively, while among 60 patients treated with a palliative surgery the corresponding rates were both 4%. Among 29 patients, for whom the interval time between the occurrence of SB metastases and the previous surgical event on GI tract was ≥36 months, the 5-year overall survival rate was 42%; for 56 patients who had an interval time <36 months the corresponding survival rate was 14%. Within the whole series, an absence of any residual disease after surgery (R0) was a factor affecting better survival, regardless of the evidence of metastases in other organs.

CONCLUSION

Our observational data showed that surgical treatment for patients with SB metastases from melanoma might increase survival, but further studies are needed to confirm this finding. In the age of novel available therapies, the increase in survival time given by surgery may offer important chances for patients to benefit from systemic therapies.

Real-World Recurrence Rates and Economic Burden in Patients with Resected Early-Stage Melanoma

Introduction

Real-world data on recurrence and economic burden in patients with resected early-stage melanoma are limited. The objective of this study was to assess real-world recurrence rates, risk factors for recurrence, and costs of recurrence in patients with resected stage IIB, IIC, or IIIA melanoma in the USA.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included patients with resected stage IIB, IIC, or IIIA melanoma (American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual, seventh edition) in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program–Medicare database of the National Cancer Institute. Recurrence rates and healthcare costs (2018 USD) after recurrence were assessed.

Results

Two-year recurrence rates for stages IIB, IIC, and IIIA melanoma were 29, 44, and 46%, respectively. In patients with stage IIB or IIC disease, the odds of recurrence were significantly higher in those aged > 75 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.853, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.416, 2.425], with ulceration (OR 1.771; 95% CI 1.293, 2.425), or with a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.244; 95% CI 1.129, 1.372); however, the odds of recurrence were significantly lower in those with T3 staging (OR 0.522; 95% CI  0.393, 0.695). In those with stage IIIA melanoma, superficial spreading was associated with significantly lower odds of recurrence (OR 0.178; 95% CI 0.053, 0.601). Following recurrence, mean healthcare costs at 1 year were $31,870 for patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma and $29,224 for those with stage IIIA melanoma.

Conclusion

The SEER data show that a substantial proportion of adults with early-stage melanoma experience a recurrence within 2 years following resection, resulting in a significant economic burden to the US healthcare system. Dermatologists can distinguish patients with resected early-stage melanoma who are at a high risk for recurrence and consider referrals to medical oncologists for approved adjuvant therapy or enrollment in clinical trials after surgical resection to reduce the recurrence of melanoma.

Melanoma is the sixth most common type of cancer in the USA. In the past several years, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved several novel therapies for patients with high-risk melanoma following surgery. However, these therapies are not approved for the treatment of patients with earlier-stage or intermediate-risk melanoma. In these patients, treatment choices include enrollment in clinical trials or observation. We have assessed recurrence rates, risk factors for recurrence, and costs of recurrence in patients with early-stage melanoma. This analysis included patients with resected early-stage melanoma in the US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program–Medicare database. The results show that a substantial proportion of adults with early-stage melanoma experienced a recurrence within 2 years after surgical removal of their tumor, resulting in a significant economic burden to the healthcare system. Dermatologists can use information in the published literature to distinguish patients with resected early-stage melanoma who are at a high risk for recurrence and consider referrals to medical oncologists for approved therapy or enrollment in clinical trials after surgery to reduce recurrence and substantial economic consequences.

National trends in ventral hernia repairs for patients with intra-abdominal metastases

BACKGROUND

Ventral hernias in patients with intra-abdominal metastases may not be addressed owing to other oncologic priorities, but they can affect quality of life and lead to sequelae necessitating an emergency operation. We compared the national trends and perioperative outcomes for elective and nonelective ventral hernia repairs for patients with intra-abdominal metastases.

METHODS

Patients were identified from the National Inpatient Sample (2003-2015). Temporal trends were described using average annual percent change. Perioperative outcomes between elective and nonelective ventral hernia repairs were compared using multivariable regressions.

RESULTS

An estimated 947,112 ventral hernia repairs were performed nationally, including 5,602 (0.6%) in patients with intra-abdominal metastases. Among patients with intra-abdominal metastases, 40.1% had a nonelective ventral hernia repair, mean (standard deviation) age was 64 (12) years, and 65.1% were women. Between 2003 and 2015, the total number of ventral hernia repairs performed nationally did not change (average annual percent change 0.062, P = .84). For patients with intra-abdominal metastases, although there was no change in the number of elective ventral hernia repairs (average annual percent change 0.65, P = .59), the number of nonelective ventral hernia repairs increased significantly (average annual percent change 2.7, P = .025). By multivariable analyses, patients with intra-abdominal metastases who underwent a nonelective repair were more likely to experience complications (odds ratio 1.76, P = .001), nonroutine discharge (odds ratio 1.93, P < .001), and mortality (odds ratio 2.27, P = .035). Nonelective ventral hernia repairs was also associated with a 38.5% (P < .001) longer hospital stay and 24.4% (P < .001) higher charges.

CONCLUSION

The number of nonelective ventral hernia repairs, which is associated with substantial perioperative morbidity, has increased significantly among patients with intra-abdominal metastases. Surgeons should consider a nonemergency operation for select patients to mitigate the burden of nonelective ventral hernia repairs.

Surgery for Unresectable Stage IIIC and IV Melanoma in the Era of New Systemic Therapy

Opportunities for surgical treatment in metastatic melanoma patients have re-emerged due to the development of novel systemic therapeutics over the past decade. The aim of this study is to present data on outcomes of surgery in patients with unresectable stage IIIC and IV melanoma, who have previously been treated with immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Data was extracted from the Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry (DMTR) on 154 patients obtaining disease control to systemic therapy and undergoing subsequent surgery. Disease control was defined as a complete response (CR), which was seen in 3.2% of patients; a partial response (PR), seen in 46.1% of patients; or stable disease (SD), seen in 44.2% of patients. At a median follow-up of 10.0 months (interquartile range 4-22) after surgery, the median overall survival (OS) had not been reached in our cohort and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.0 months (95% CI 6.3-11.7). A CR or PR at first follow-up after surgery was associated with both a better OS and PFS compared to stable or progressive disease (p < 0.001). We conclude that selected patients can benefit from surgery after achieving disease control with systemic therapy.

Use of immunotherapy and surgery for stage IV melanoma

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy for stage IV melanoma has dramatically changed the overall prognosis and treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether changes in systemic immunotherapy options have significantly altered surgical resection rates for patients with stage IV melanoma.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database (2004-2015) was used to perform a difference-in-difference analysis to evaluate whether the rate of surgical resection of metastatic disease for stage IV melanoma differed with the use of immunotherapy in the checkpoint inhibitor era in comparison with the use of immunotherapy in the pre-checkpoint inhibitor era. An adjusted difference-in-difference analysis stratified by facility type was performed. An adjusted Poisson regression analysis evaluated predictors of surgical resection in patients with stage IV melanoma who received immunotherapy.

RESULTS

There were 14,433 patients with stage IV melanoma (median age, 66 years [interquartile range, 56-76 years]; female, 31.7%), and of all patients in the checkpoint inhibitor era (n = 7,524), 25% (n = 1,879) received immunotherapy. Patients with stage IV disease who received immunotherapy in the checkpoint inhibitor era were more likely to be younger, be healthier, have private insurance, come from upper income quartiles, and be treated at academic programs. A difference-in-difference analysis revealed similar rates of surgical resection of metastatic disease with the use of immunotherapy in the checkpoint inhibitor era and the pre-checkpoint inhibitor era, regardless of facility type.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of immunotherapy was unequal among patients with stage IV melanoma. Across all facilities, the rates of surgical resection of metastatic disease for stage IV melanoma did not differ with the use of immunotherapy between the checkpoint inhibitor era and the pre-checkpoint inhibitor era.

Trend and socioeconomic disparities in survival outcome of metastatic melanoma after approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

The approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for metastatic melanoma in 2011 has changed the treatment landscape of this disease. However, current trend of the population-based survival remains unclear.

METHODS

8078 patients with metastatic melanoma diagnosed in the pre-ICI (2005-2010) and post-ICI period (2011-2016) were enrolled from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program for survival comparison. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce selection bias. Cox proportional hazards model was applied for identifying survival-related factors and constructing a prognostic nomogram. The accuracy of the nomogram was determined by concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and validated by an internal cohort.

RESULTS

Patients in the post-ICI period had a significantly longer median overall survival (OS) than those in the pre-ICI period, even after performing PSM between the two periods. We also found socioeconomic disparities in the survival improvement. Significant differences in OS between the two periods were only observed in cases with medical insurance and patients living in urban or low-poverty area, but not uninsured cases and patients from rural or high-poverty area. For patients in the post-ICI period, multivariate analysis demonstrated that socioeconomic and insurance status were independent prognostic factors, which can be combined with other clinical variates into a nomogram for OS prediction with promising C-index of 0.672 and 0.650 in the training- and testing cohort, respectively.

CONCLUSION

An overall trend to favorable survival at the population level and socioeconomic disparities in the survival trend are observed in metastatic melanoma after the ICI approval. The proposed nomogram is available for prognostication in the current melanoma management.

Survival Outcomes After Metastasectomy in Melanoma Patients Categorized by Response to Checkpoint Blockade

INTRODUCTION

Checkpoint inhibitors have improved outcomes in metastatic melanoma, with 4-year overall survival (OS) of 46% for anti-PD-1 alone or 53% in combination with anti-CTLA-4. However, the median progression free survival is 6.9 and 11.5 months, respectively. Many who progress have gone on to alternative treatments, including surgery, yet the outcome of patients selected for surgery after checkpoint blockade remains unclear.

METHODS

Patients who were treated with checkpoint blockade from 2003 to 2017, followed by metastasectomy, were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional melanoma database. Response to immunotherapy was assessed at the time of surgery. Patients were categorized as having responding, isolated progressing, or multiple progressing lesions.

RESULTS

Of the 237 total patients identified, 208 (88%) had stage IV disease, and 29 (12%) had unresectable stage III disease at the start of immunotherapy. Median OS following first resection was 21 months. Median follow-up among survivors was 23 months. Complete resection at the first operation (n = 87, 37%) was associated with improved survival compared with patients with incomplete resection (n = 150, 63%) [median OS not reached (NR) vs. 10.8 months, respectively; 95% CI: 7.3, 14.8; p < 0.0001]. Patients resected for an isolated progressing or responding tumor had a longer median survival compared with those with multiple progressing lesions (NR vs. 7.8 months, 95% CI: 6.2, 11.2; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients selected for surgical resection following checkpoint blockade have a relatively favorable survival, especially if they had a response to immunotherapy and undergo complete resection of isolated progressing or responding disease.

Impact of Effective Systemic Therapy on Metastasectomy in Stage IV Melanoma: A Matched-Pair Analysis

BACKGROUND

Although resection historically played a prominent role in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, recent advances have altered the therapeutic landscape, and potentially the role of surgery. We examined surgical selection and metastasectomy outcomes before and after the onset of the effective drug therapy era.

METHODS

Patients with stage IV melanoma were identified and characterized by treatment era (either 1965-2007 or 2008-2015) and by systemic therapy agents. BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors, as well as checkpoint inhibitors, were included as modern agents. Selection factors for metastasectomy were examined by era. A matched-pair analysis of outcomes of surgical and non-surgical patients receiving modern systemic agents was performed.

RESULTS

Among 2353 eligible patients, 1065 (45.2%) underwent surgical treatment. Factors associated with selection for metastasectomy in the early era included female sex, no prior stage III disease, single-organ involvement, and M1a (vs. M1c) disease (all p < 0.007). In the current era, the proportion of surgically treated patients increased modestly (54.5% vs. 44.7%, p = 0.02) and age was the only independent selection factor (p < 0.01). Surgery followed by modern therapy in 47 matched pairs was associated with higher 5-year melanoma-specific survival (MSS) versus modern therapy alone (58.8% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.049). Multivariable regression showed single-organ involvement (hazard ratio [HR] 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21-0.90, p = 0.02) and first-line surgery (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.98, p = 0.04), as well as use of modern agents (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.21-0.40, p < 0.001), were independently associated with improved MSS.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

While modern systemic agents have improved outcomes in stage IV melanoma, metastasectomy remains associated with favorable survival. Resection remains a viable therapeutic approach, possibly worthy of prospective evaluation.