The purpose of this recent study was to investigate how incident melanomas in Australia are initially managed. It concludes that in Queensland most cases are diagnosed in primary care, and nearly half are initially managed by partial excision (shave or punch biopsy). Second or third, wider excisions are undertaken in about 90% of cases.
Authors of this recent study suggest that prior CTLA-4 blockade therapy is associated with marked differences in the tumor microenvironment that impact the predictive features of PD-1 blockade therapy response.
This review aims to give an overview of the diversity of dendritic cell (DC) subsets, decipher their pathophysiology in melanoma patients and their impact on clinical outcome, the mechanisms by which tumors hijack DCs, and of their exploitation for therapeutic developments. Altogether, DCs hold great promise to participate in achieving better clinical outcomes for the patients in the future.
In developing a cohort-wide tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) spatial analytic approach and workflow, authors of this recent study identified multiple immunospatial associations with patient outcome in primary and stage III metastatic melanoma. Intratumoral immune diversity and immune cell neighborhoods indicate beneficial anti-tumor immune functions contributing towards improved patient outcomes.
According to this recent study, there is positive patient-readiness to receive genetic risk information for keratinocyte cancer (KC) risk stratification among transplantees. High-risk patients are currently being followed-up for KC outcomes and prevention service uptake including screening, and sun protection behaviors.
According to this recent study, liver metastases, low albumin, high lactate dehydrogenase, high white blood cell count, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≥1 can be combined into a prognostic model for advanced melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
According to this recent study, higher expression of Talin1 in protein level may be significantly associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and advanced disease in patients with skin cancer.
Understanding the evolutionary pathways to metastasis and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in melanoma is critical for improving outcomes. This recent study illustrates the diverse evolutionary landscape of advanced melanoma.
In order to gain an improved understanding of the molecular features regarding melanoma progression, authors of this recent study have compared gene and small non-coding RNA expression profiles from cell lines derived from primary melanoma, lymph node metastasis and brain metastasis, representing distinct stages of malignant progression. Preliminary results highlighted the aberrant regulation of molecular markers involved in several processes that aid melanoma progression and metastasis development, including extracellular matrix remodeling, migratory potential and angiogenesis. Exploring the molecular landscape of melanoma may contribute to the achievement of future efficient targeted therapy, as well as better prevention, diagnosis and clinical management.
According to this recent study, combination nivolumab/ipilimumab followed by BRAF and MEK inhibitor therapy, if necessary, should be the preferred treatment sequence for a large majority of patients with BRAFV600-mutant metastatic melanoma.