By. Anna M. Wu, MD, PhD
Date. 11/21/2023
Anna M. Wu, MD, PhD, discussed the use of immunotherapy in patients who underwent melanoma resection and reviewed drug development strategies in this field. She traced the progression from treating advanced, unresectable cases to improved outcomes in stage three and node-negative diseases.
Wu highlighted the shift from post-surgery to pre-surgery immunotherapy, citing the S1801 clinical trial’s significant improvement in event-free survival with pre-surgery treatment. She discussed ongoing trials and emerging data on effective combinations, including early outcomes of a cancer vaccine in melanoma.
Regarding the future of immunotherapy, Wu mentioned combining drugs like nivolumab and melatomab to potentially extend efficacy to resected stage three disease. She acknowledged the challenge of balancing effectiveness with potential side effects and expressed hope for advancements leading to less invasive surgeries.
Addressing the duration of immunotherapy treatment, Wu discussed ongoing debates about optimal periods and efforts to explore shorter treatment durations. She emphasized ongoing research into biomarkers of response, recognizing individual variations in the ideal treatment duration.
In conclusion, Anna M. Wu provided insights into the evolving landscape of immunotherapy in melanoma, showcasing advancements in treatment strategies and expressing optimism for future developments.