Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Melanoma-A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis

Cancers (Basel). 2022 Mar 25;14(7):1672. doi: 10.3390/cancers14071672.

Abstract

Background: This study assessed risk factors and the results of treatment with anti-PD-1 antibodies and BRAF/MEK inhibitors for advanced malignant melanoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 52 patients treated with immunotherapy and BRAF/MEK inhibitors for disseminated malignant melanoma. Results: The median follow-up was 31 months (6−108 months). The median PFS1 was 6 months (1−44 months). Second-line systemic treatment was applied in 27 patients (52%). The median PFS2 was 2 months (0−27 months), and the median OS was 31 months (6−108 months). Among the analyzed risk factors, only the presence of the BRAF mutation was statistically significant for disease recurrence after surgery. In patients undergoing anti-BRAF/MEK therapy, the median PFS1 was 7 months, and in patients undergoing mono-immunotherapy, 4 months. The 12- and 24-month PFS1 rates in the group treated with BRAF inhibitors were 29 and 7%, respectively, and in patients treated with mono-immunotherapy 13 and 0%, respectively (Z = 1.998, p = 0.04). The type of treatment used had no effect on OS (Z = 0.237, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with the V600 mutation should be closely monitored. In the event of disease recurrence, treatment with BRAF/MEK inhibitors should be considered. The type of treatment used has no effect on OS.

Keywords: BRAF inhibitors; CTLA4; MEK inhibitors; PD-1; PD-L1; immunotherapy; melanoma; prognosis; treatment.