Clinical Trials in Melanoma: Margins, Lymph Nodes, Targeted and Immunotherapy

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2023 Jan;32(1):47-63. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2022.07.005. Epub 2022 Nov 3.

Abstract

Multiple randomized controlled trials have influenced the current standard of care for patients with cutaneous melanoma. Since the development of targeted and immune therapy, studies of adjuvant therapy for patients with resected stage III/IV melanoma have led to the approval of combined B-raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitors for patients with a BRAF mutation, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 or antiprogrammed cell death-1 therapy for patients without a BRAF mutation. This article discusses the details of the trials that have influenced these treatment decisions, in addition to discussing ongoing trials and possible future directions.

Keywords: Immunotherapy; Melanoma; Sentinel lymph node; Surgical margins; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Melanoma* / drug therapy
  • Melanoma* / genetics
  • Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / therapeutic use
  • Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms* / genetics

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors