Microscopic view of purple-stained cells with various sizes and shapes on a light pink background, showing dense clusters and distinct nuclei.

Treatment patterns and outcomes for patients with unresectable stage III and Metastatic Melanoma in the USA

Authors: A Tarhini, C Atzinger, K Gupte-Singh, C Johnson, C Macahilig, S Rao

Published: Journal of Comparitive Effectiveness Research, 2019

Aim

To describe treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with unresectable stage III and metastatic/stage IV melanoma.

Material and Methods

An observational retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma before 1 November 2015 who initiated a new line of therapy (LOT) from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2016.

Results

Among 487 patients, ipilimumab monotherapy (27.5%) was the most common first line of therapy (1LOT) in 2015, surpassed by nivolumab monotherapy (21.5%) in 2016. 12-month survival was ≥80.1%; proportions were highest forpatients treated with nivolumab + ipilimumab (86.6%). All treatments relatively well tolerated in real-world setting and adverse events were consistent with the previously reported safety profiles.

Conclusion

This study provides important insights into real-world advanced melanoma treatment patterns and demonstrates encouraging treatment safety and patient survival data.