Melanoma highlights of ASCO 2015

June 3, 2015

The website of the 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago from 29 May – 2 June 2015 provides extensive access to presentation-related media releases and videos of oral presentations and education sessions (available for purchase). Selected melanoma-related sessions are provided below.

Featured Abstracts

Findings Argue Against Complete Lymphadenectomy in Melanoma

New level 1 evidence may mark the beginning of the end of complete lymphadenectomy in stage III melanomas with micrometastasis to the sentinel nodes. According to results from a randomized, phase III, noninferiority trial conducted in Germany, patients with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) attained no survival benefit after undergoing complete lymph node dissection compared with observation.
Source: http://am.asco.org/decog-findings-argue-against-complete-lymphadenectomy-melanoma

Exploring the Pathway: Inhibiting MEK for Cancer Therapy

Despite the prevalence of aberrant RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling in human cancers, the crucial location of MEK1/2 in this pathway, and the availability of highly potent and specific MEK inhibitors, inhibition of MEK has not demonstrated strong therapeutic activity in early-stage clinical trials. Although single-agent activity has been documented in BRAF mutant melanoma, this activity is somewhat inferior to that seen with selective BRAF inhibitors. Moreover these agents are not active in BRAF-mutant tumors that develop resistance to BRAF inhibitors. However, striking activity has been demonstrated in combination with BRAF inhibitors. This combination promises to be superior to single-agent BRAF inhibitors in terms of response rate and duration of response. The activity in NRAS-mutant tumors also appears promising. Combinations with other targeted agents may also improve efficacy and overcome resistance. However, toxicity of a number of these combinations (e.g., AKT inhibitors and PI3K inhibitors) has been problematic to date. Combinations with classical cytotoxic agents may also be efficacious, and results of ongoing trials are awaited with interest.
Source: http://am.asco.org/exploring-pathway-inhibiting-mek-cancer-therapy-0 http://am.asco.org/exploring-pathway-inhibiting-me...

Exploring the Pathway: The RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK Pathway in Cancer: Combination Therapies and Overcoming Feedback

The rapid advancement in strategies to target signaling in cancer cells led by small molecules targeting the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway is fundamentally changing the approach to treating cancer. With major advances in targeting cancers with BRAF mutations now achieved, it remains pertinent to not only more effectively target this pathway to reduce toxicity and improve efficacy but also to turn our gaze to the role of this pathway in RAS-mutated cancers.
Source: http://am.asco.org/exploring-pathway-rasrafmekerk-pathway-cancer-combination-therapies-and-overcoming-feedback

Nicotinamide Reduces Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Formation

Oral nicotinamide significantly reduced the formation of new nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) compared with placebo in patients with severely sun-damaged skin and was well tolerated, according to results of a new phase III trial.
Source: http://am.asco.org/nicotinamide-reduces-nonmelanoma-skin-cancer-formation http://am.asco.org/nicotinamide-reduces-nonmelanom...
See also: Vitamin B3 Derivative Cuts Risk for New Skin Cancers

Melanoma/Skin Cancers Virtual Meeting Tracks

Challenges in Melanoma Clinical Trials: Will Our Success Hold Us Back?
http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/presentationBySession/7435/1321?media=vm

Locoregional Therapies in the Setting of Systemic Treatment Advances: What's Next?
http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/presentationBySession/7344/1321?media=vm

Melanoma/Skin Cancers Oral Abstract Session
http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/presentationBySession/7252/1321?media=vm

Melanoma/Skin Cancers Poster Discussion Session
http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/presentationBySession/7251/1321?media=vm

Targeted Molecular Therapy in Melanoma Education Session
http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/presentationBySession/7343/1321?media=vm

For further postings see:
http://am.asco.org/
http://am.asco.org/search/site/melanoma