Biomarkers Predicting for Response and Relapse with Melanoma Systemic Therapy.

Biomarkers Predicting for Response and Relapse with Melanoma Systemic Therapy. Acta Derm Venereol. 2020 Apr 28;: Authors: Welsh SJ, Corrie PG Abstract Introduction of new systemic therapies in the last 10 years has radically improved outcomes for melanoma patients. Even so, not all patients benefit. These two major drug classes, small molecule BRAF targeted kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors, both come at significant cost, with sometimes serious side effects as well as high expense for health services. Almost half of melanomas harbour a BRAFV600 mutation and virtually all patients receiving BRAF targeted therapy will experience some amount of response. However, duration of response with these agents is uncertain, due to acquired resistance, which means few patients remain in response long term. Most metastatic melanoma patients are potentially eligible for immune checkpoint inhibitors, irrespective of BRAF status. However, only about half of patients will respond to these agents, and only half again will benefit long term. Thus, both primary and acquired resistance limit response. In this era of personalized anti-cancer therapy, biomarkers offer a means to predict for both response and relapse to a particular treatment. To date, the only validated biomarker applied to selecting melanoma systemic therapy is the BRAF gene. However, modern technologies are now opening up a wide range of candidate genes, polypeptides and ...
Source: Acta Dermato-Venereologica - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Acta Derm Venereol Source Type: research