Author Interviews, ESMO, Immunotherapy, Melanoma, NEJM / 03.09.2020
Targeted Combination Immunotherapy Improved Survival in Stage III Melanoma
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Reinhard Dummer, Prof. Dr. med.
Stv. Klinikdirektor
Universitätsspital Zürich, Dermatologische Klinik
Zürich
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Based on molecular biology analysis, a substantial proportion of melanomas are driven by mutations of BRAF resulting in an ongoing growth activating signal. Based on the key role of BRAF several multiple kinase molecules have been developed in order to target this crucial pathway. These medications have shown to improve progression free survival and overall survival in advanced metastatic melanoma.
Because there is a tendency for improved outcome in patients with low tumor burden, combined targeted therapy using Dabrafenib and Trametinib have been investigated in the adjuvant (after complete surgical resection) setting in stage III melanoma. And the 5 year data are now available in the New England Journal of Medicine. (more…)