Metastatic acral melanoma treatment outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Acral melanomas are a unique subset of melanomas occurring on the palms, soles, and nails. There is poor prognosis with surgery alone and no specific guidelines for the treatment of metastatic acral melanoma. This meta-analysis explored the systemic therapy outcomes for metastatic acral melanoma. Medline, Pubmed, EMBASE, and the grey literature were searched from 2010 to August 2020 for studies specifying the treatment outcome of metastatic acral melanoma. Studies were assessed by two investigators. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed and pooled Kaplan–Meier curves for progression-free survival and overall survi...
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Short Communications: Clinical Research Source Type: research
Influence of IL1B (rs16944) and IL1R2 (rs4141134) polymorphisms on aggressiveness and prognosis of cutaneous melanoma
Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer with high mortality. Proinflammatory cytokines can modulate the proliferation and survival of cutaneous melanoma cells. Higher levels of interleukin-1β (IL1B) were associated with tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and the IL-1 type II receptor (IL1R2) serves as an endogenous inhibitor of IL1B signaling. Single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) in these genes (IL1B rs16944 and IL1R2 rs4141134) can modulate cytokine production and binding; however, their role in cutaneous melanoma is still unknown. Thus, we investigated the influence of the above SNVs in clin...
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Short Communications: Basic Science Source Type: research
Proteomic profiles of melanoma cell-derived exosomes in plasma: discovery of potential biomarkers of melanoma progression
Cancer liquid biopsy encompassing circulating tumor cells (CTC), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and/or tumor-derived exosomes (TEX) emerges as a novel approach to early detection, noninvasive monitoring of responses to therapy and predicting patient survival. TEX are a key component of liquid biopsy because they mimic tumor cells in their proteomic and genetic content. Two recent proteomic analyses of TEX released into plasma by melanoma cells confirms the potential of TEX as diagnostic and prognostic markers in melanoma. (Source: Melanoma Research)
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Short Communications: Basic Science Source Type: research
Low-dose ipilimumab combined with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in patients with metastatic melanoma following anti-PD-1 treatment failure
The objective response rate was 33.3% and a disease control rate of 66.7% was achieved. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.7 months and median overall survival (OS) was 21.6 months. The median PFS when IPI1 and anti-PD-1 treatment was administered in the second-line setting was not reached, but only 2.8 months when used in subsequent treatment settings. Combined IPI1 and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy was well tolerated. Its use in the third-line or above setting was associated with a significantly poorer prognosis than in the second-line setting. Larger, prospective studies are required to evaluate the safety and...
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Original Articles: Clinical Research Source Type: research
Isolated limb perfusion with melphalan as treatment for regionally advanced melanoma of the limbs: results of 60 patients treated in Finland during 2007–2018
Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is widely accepted as treatment for recurrent melanoma limited to the limbs. The use of ILP has decreased in recent years with the introduction of potentially effective new systemic therapies. We evaluated retrospectively if ILP still may be a treatment option in locally advanced melanoma. In Finland, ILP is centralized to the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Helsinki University Hospital. We included all ILP patients treated at our hospital between 2007 and 2018. Clinical factors and treatment outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. Altogether 60 patients received ILP. Toxicity was mostly trans...
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Original Articles: Clinical Research Source Type: research
Nivolumab for metastatic uveal melanoma: a multicenter, retrospective study
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nivolumab in metastatic uveal melanoma patients. In our multi-center study, the files of patients who received nivolumab treatment with a diagnosis of metastatic uveal melanoma were retrospectively reviewed and their information was recorded. Seventeen patients were enrolledand 16 patients were evaluable for efficacy. The objective response rate (ORR) was 18% including one confirmed complete response and two confirmed partial responses. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.8 months (95% CI, 0.03–11.57 months), and the median overall survival (OS) was 10....
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Original Articles: Clinical Research Source Type: research
Expression of the cancer stem cell marker OCT4 is associated with worse prognosis and survival in cutaneous melanoma
Cutaneous melanoma has an aggressive clinical presentation, showing rapid rate of growth and metastatic dissemination due to the permanence of cancer stem cells. The present study was to evaluate the expression of the self-renewal regulatory factor and the clinical significance of the transcription factor OCT4 in melanoma. Melanoma tissues were stained by immunohistochemistry and the correlation between the expression of this marker was determined through clinical–pathological variables and survival outcomes. Positive expression of nuclear and cytoplasmic OCT4 was observed in 49% and 41.2% of cases, respectively. The pos...
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Original Articles: Translational Research Source Type: research
Expression of cathepsins B and D by cancer stem cells in head and neck metastatic malignant melanoma
This study investigated the expression and localization of cathepsins B, D and G, in relation to these CSCs. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated expression of cathepsins B, D and G in HNmMM sections from all 20 patients. Western blotting confirmed the presence of cathepsins B and D proteins in all six HNmMM tissue samples and four HNmMM-derived primary cell lines. RT-qPCR showed transcript expression of cathepsins B, D and G in all six HNmMM tissue samples, and cathepsins B and D but not cathepsin G in all four HNmMM-derived primary cell lines. Enzymatic activity assays demonstrated cathepsins B and D were active in ...
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Original Articles: Basic Science Source Type: research
Updates on the diagnosis, current and future therapeutic options in Merkel-cell carcinoma
Merkel-cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and extremely aggressive nonmelanocytic cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma. Historically, it has been associated with limited therapy options and poor prognosis. While its incidence has been rising over the last two decades, recent discoveries and a better understanding of its pathogenesis, viral association and immunologic features have allowed for the emergence of new therapies. Surgical excision with or without radiotherapy remains the first-line therapy for primary lesions without evidence of metastatic disease. The majority of MCC cases are regrettably diagnosed at advanced stages...
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Combination of radiotherapy and targeted therapy for melanoma brain metastases: a systematic review
Radiotherapy is a mainstay of efficient treatment of brain metastases from solid tumors. Immunotherapy has improved the survival of metastatic cancer patients across many tumor types. However, targeted therapy is a feasible alternative for patients unable to continue immunotherapy or with poor outcomes of immunotherapy. The combination of radiotherapy and targeted therapy for the treatment of brain metastases has a strong theoretical underpinning, but data on the efficacy and safety of this combination is still limited. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane library database was conducted. E...
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Seborrheic keratosis-like melanoma: a diagnostic challenge
This article summarizes the main epidemiologic and diagnostic features of seborrheic keratosis-like (SK-like) melanoma. We performed a review of the current literature. The real and current incidence and prevalence of SK-like melanoma are unknown. Many lesions are misdiagnosed and not excised with histopathologic confirmation, or excised without an appropriate surgical approach due to a benign clinical and dermoscopic appearance. SK-like melanoma presents both melanoma and SK features. SK-like melanoma and SK are often clinically indistinguishable even for experienced dermatologists. Clinically, it develops as a black-dark...
Source: Melanoma Research - September 10, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research
Pembrolizumab-induced hypothyroidism manifesting as myopathy and psychosis
No abstract available (Source: Melanoma Research)
Source: Melanoma Research - July 16, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Successful encorafenib desensitization in a patient with recurrent metastatic melanoma
We present a case where a 72-year-old woman with recurrent, metastatic BRAF-mutated melanoma developed a type I HSR to dabrafenib. We, therefore, developed a desensitization protocol with encorafenib, a similar class agent, to allow the patient to continue with treatment. Patients with a history of HSR to dabrafenib may be considered for encorafenib desensitization when other therapeutic options are limited. (Source: Melanoma Research)
Source: Melanoma Research - July 16, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Short Communications Source Type: research
PET-CT for staging pT4b melanomas prior to sentinel lymph node biopsy: a 5-year review
The objective was to assess the utility of PET-CT in terms of rates of detection of metastases leading to changes in planned treatment and if performing PET-CT was associated with a delay in surgical management. In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, 88 consecutive patients with pT4b melanoma were identified from February 2014 to May 2019. Data were collected from clinical records. Of the 88 patients, 76 patients underwent PET-CT and 16/76 (21%) of these demonstrated metastatic/potentially metastatic disease. In total 16/76 (21%) patients had positive findings on PET-CT, and of these 14 (18%) had alterations to ...
Source: Melanoma Research - July 16, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Short Communications Source Type: research
Complete response of brainstem metastasis in BRAF-mutated melanoma without stereotactic radiosurgery after initiation of encorafenib and binimetinib
Metastatic melanoma is often accompanied by the development of brain metastases, at presentation or during the course of therapy. Local therapies such as surgery and radiation have been considered standard treatments for intracranial disease. However, the emergence of systemic therapies has been changing the treatment paradigm for the management of brain metastases. In patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma, combined BRAF and MEK inhibition has been found to elicit significant clinical responses. Patients who develop resistance to MAP kinase (MAPK) targeted therapy can achieve significant responses upon rechallenge. In this c...
Source: Melanoma Research - July 16, 2021 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Short Communications Source Type: research
