Melanoma

Japanese Dermatological Association Guidelines: Clinical Questions of Guidelines for Melanoma 2025.

The Journal of dermatology · 2025 · PMID 40511899

Advancements in melanoma management have underscored the need for periodic guideline updates every few years to reflect current clinical practices. Previous versions of melanoma clinical practice guidelines in Japan have primarily aimed to reflect global standards of care. This focus on international benchmarks was largely attributed to the scarcity of high-quality evidence from East Asia, necessitating reliance on Western references. Recent findings indicate differences in melanoma subtypes and drug efficacy betwe…

Updated pan-tumor guidelines for neoadjuvant scoring of pathologic response: a joint SITC and INMC effort.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 41469296

BACKGROUND: Practice-changing clinical trials for novel therapeutic regimens administered in the neoadjuvant setting have been reported for multiple cancer types, bringing this treatment strategy to the forefront for patients with high-risk surgically resectable disease. Previously, tumor-type- or therapy-type-specific scoring systems were used for pathologic response assessment. The goal of this effort is to update, harmonize, and standardize the emerging system(s) for pathologic response assessment and data captu…

Melanoma: Cutaneous, Version 2.2026, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN · 2026 · PMID 42297031

The NCCN Guidelines for Melanoma: Cutaneous provide strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with cutaneous melanoma, which is among the most common cancers in the United States. The outcome of cutaneous melanoma is significantly influenced by stage at initial presentation. Generally, localized disease and smaller primary tumors have been associated with more favorable prognosis. Thus, the select content featured in this issue focuses on risk factors associated with cutaneous melanoma deve…

S1 guideline for imaging diagnostics for skin diseases.

Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG · 2025 · PMID 41243460

Non-invasive imaging techniques allow a quick and easy in vivo examination of the skin with different penetration depths and resolution depending on the applied technology. Established methods such as dermoscopy and high-resolution sonography of the skin have been an integral part of everyday life for decades. Additionally, new emerging techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), and line-field confocal OCT (LC-OCT) have entered clinical practice. Multiphoton tomogr…

Management of metastatic uveal melanoma: French expert consensus guidelines.

Bulletin du cancer · 2025 · PMID 40628555

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare malignancy originating from uveal melanocytes. Despite effective control of the primary tumour, metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM) occurs in approximately 20-30% of patients, primarily affecting the liver, with a poor prognosis and overall survival (OS). The unique molecular profile of UM, lacking BRAF, NRAS, and KIT mutations, limits targeted therapy efficacy. Chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) also show limited benefits, while tebentafusp has emerged as the first drug …

UK clinical practice guidelines for the management of patients with constitutional POT1 pathogenic variants.

Journal of medical genetics · 2025 · PMID 40350252

Constitutional or germline pathogenic variants (GPVs) in protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) are associated with a variety of tumours resulting in the recognition of POT1-tumour predisposition syndrome (POT1-TPDS). These tumours may include cutaneous melanoma, angiosarcoma, haematological malignancy and brain tumours. Due to the rarity of POT1 GPVs and limited available data, the overall lifetime cancer risks for individuals with POT1-TPDS are unclear. Furthermore, there is scant evidence to support the role of survei…

Sinonasal mucosal melanoma: REFCOR guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases · 2026 · PMID 42106208

AIMS: The authors present the guidelines of the REFCOR (French Rare Head-and-Neck Cancer Expert Network) for sinonasal mucosal melanoma. METHODS: A multidisciplinary working group made a systematic review of the literature. The formalized expert consensus methodology was followed in drawing up recommendations, which were presented according to the degree of agreement between members of the review group. RESULTS: Strong agreement: it is recommended to perform systematic regional and remote extension assessment at di…

REFCOR good practice guidelines for radiotherapy in sinonasal carcinomas and mucosal melanomas.

European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases · 2026 · PMID 41735111

INTRODUCTION: The present REFCOR guidelines define indications for radiotherapy in sinonasal carcinoma and mucosal melanoma. METHODS: They result from multidisciplinary consensus based on a critical review of the literature, feedback from expert centers, and a structured process to harmonize clinical practice across France. RESULTS: Indications for radiotherapy are determined by tumor-specific characteristics and histoprognostic factors. In France, treatment decisions for these tumors are discussed in regional or n…

ESR Essentials: imaging of melanoma-practice recommendations by the European Society of Oncologic Imaging.

European radiology · 2026 · PMID 42213112

Staging and response assessment of melanoma is a challenging radiological task as the tumor entity is characterized by atypical metastatic phenotypes and response patterns. Radiologists should scrutinize diagnostic images for unusual metastatic sites, including, e.g., gastrointestinal, endobronchial, or splenic metastases. Routine imaging modalities must include body CT or PET/CT staging and brain MRI. Response assessment is complicated by pseudoprogression and dissociated response, which radiologists must identify…

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Staging and Follow-Up of Melanoma.

Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR · 2026 · PMID 41823939

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence supporting different imaging modalities and techniques used for the staging and surveillance of patients with cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and ocular melanoma. Guidelines are provided based on nodal status, presence of metastases at baseline, suspected metastases, and local stage. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary exper…

Uveal Melanoma UK national guidelines: 2023 update.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2025 · PMID 40885127

UK Guidelines for the management of uveal melanoma (UM) were first published in 2015 using an evidence-based systematic approach. The primary aim of this guideline was to optimise patient care by providing recommendations based on the best available scientific evidence. The resulting guideline reflected the strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence, made recommendations that were clinically impactful around prognostication, surveillance, and treatment for patients with primary lesions and metastatic diseas…

Management of Dermatological Adverse Events Associated With MEK Inhibitors.

Actas dermo-sifiliograficas · 2026 · PMID 41999864

MEK inhibitors (MEKi) have transformed the treatment of tumors such as melanoma and plexiform neurofibroma in neurofibromatosis type 1, but they are frequently associated with dermatological adverse effects that may affect quality of life and treatment adherence. This expert consensus reviews the evidence and provides practical recommendations for the prevention and management of the most common cutaneous toxicities associated with MEKi, including acneiform rash, eczematous dermatitis, xerosis, paronychia, photosen…

Immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapies in the treatment of spinal column tumors: A systematic review and Meta-analysis of efficacy, and safety.

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026 · PMID 40835773

PURPOSE: Spinal metastases affect up to 70% of systemic cancer patients, with overall survival averaging less than six months. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents have unsatisfactory results, leading to immunotherapy (IT) investigations. There is no clear consensus on the benefits and risks of IT for spinal tumors. This study assesses the current literature to determine IT safety and survival efficacy for tumors involving spinal column. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across …

Systemic Surveillance Guidelines for Uveal Melanoma: A Systematic Review.

Clinical & experimental ophthalmology · 2026 · PMID 40990144

BACKGROUND: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumour. Despite effective local therapies, UM has a high risk of metastatic recurrence, most frequently to the liver. A significant proportion of patients treated definitively for primary UM eventually experience metastatic disease. Systemic surveillance to detect recurrence is critical to maximise therapeutic options. Whilst international guidelines exist, there are currently no standardised Australian guidelines for surveillance imaging. This …

A systematic review of ionizing radiation-induced glaucoma: clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and current treatment approaches.

Cutaneous and ocular toxicology · 2025 · PMID 41091454

PURPOSE: Ionizing radiation-induced glaucoma (IRG) is an uncommon yet vision-threatening complication that presents primarily as neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after high-dose exposure and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) after low-dose exposure. Despite increasing recognition, its dose-response relationship, mechanisms, and optimal management remain poorly defined. This review evaluates the clinical spectrum, pathogenesis, and therapeutic approaches of IRG to inform future research and practice. METHODS: A systematic lit…

REFCOR guidelines for sinus and nasal cavity cancer.

European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases · 2026 · PMID 41720745

INTRODUCTION: The first guidelines of the French Expertise Network on Rare ENT Cancers (REFCOR) on the management of nasal cavity and sinus cancer date back to 2009. The objective of the present study was to update these guidelines using a search of the literature between 2009 and 2020. METHOD: The literature analysis was carried out using PRISMA criteria to enrich the previous literature review; 250 studies were selected out of 1696 analyzed. General considerations were formulated, common to all histologies and sp…

Diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence compared to family physicians and dermatologists for skin conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BMC primary care · 2025 · PMID 41315984

CONTEXT: Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly used for image recognition, especially for skin lesions. Due to what may be long wait times for dermatology appointments, general practitioners (GPs) are the gatekeepers when it comes to skin diseases requiring rapid treatments. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the diagnostic accuracy of AI in diagnosing skin lesions encountered in primary care and to perform a meta-analysis of AI's in diagnostic accuracy for melanoma detection. METHODOLOGY: T…

Diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune retinopathy: review of current approaches.

International ophthalmology · 2025 · PMID 40824502

PURPOSE: To provide a comprehensive overview of the existing understanding regarding the clinical characteristics, diagnostic investigation, and treatment strategies for autoimmune retinopathy (AIR). To emphasize the lack of consensus in the field and the ongoing controversies regarding best practices. METHODS: Narrative review of the literature on PubMed and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS: AIR comprises a group of rare autoimmune disorders causing retinal degeneration, characterized by rapid vision deterioratio…

Consequences of adverse events in cancer immunotherapy combinations - a comprehensive real-world analysis.

Immunotherapy · 2025 · PMID 41367243

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are pivotal in systemic anticancer therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate incidence, severity and consequences of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in ICI combinations by comparing different adverse events classification systems. METHODS: A retrospective multicentre cohort study included patients treated with ICI combinations. IrAEs were assessed by CTCAE v.5, NCC MERP index and SITC consensus for chronic irAEs. RESULTS: Among 612 patients, 244 (40%) exp…

Dermoscopic features of labial melanotic macules in diverse skin types.

Clinical and experimental dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41078104

BACKGROUND: Labial melanotic macules (LaMMs) are benign pigmented lesions that typically present as solitary patches on the lower lip. While their dermoscopic features have been previously described, limited data exist on how these features vary across different skin phototypes. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the dermoscopic differences of LaMMs in individuals with darker skin phototypes and compare them with LaMMs and mucosal melanomas in individuals with lighter skin phototypes. METHODS: This retrospective study anal…

Ultraviolet-induced fluorescent dermoscopy for the diagnosis of skin tumors: A multicenter study.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41176254

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet-induced fluorescent dermoscopy (UVFD) is a novel dermoscopic technique that has shown potential to improve diagnostic accuracy for select conditions in small case series. However, its performance has not yet been assessed in a large cohort of cutaneous tumors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of UVFD in cutaneous tumors. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter study included consecutive lesions assessed at 3 tertiary care clinics in Chile, France, and Poland. Standard polarized dermoscopic i…

Real-world management of adjuvant systemic melanoma therapy: Multi-center survey of 51 DeCOG skin cancer centers.

Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG · 2026 · PMID 41273148

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and targeted therapy (TT) have revolutionized treatment management for patients with melanoma. However, the current German S3 guideline does not differentiate between patients with and without adjuvant therapy in its recommendations for imaging intervals and follow-up monitoring, leading to variability in clinical practice. This study provides an overview of surveillance practices among skin cancer centers in the German Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group …

Immunotherapy utilization patterns in patients with advanced cancer and autoimmune disease.

PloS one · 2024 · PMID 38625861

PURPOSE: Immunotherapy has been shown to improve cancer survival, but there are no consensus guidelines to inform use in patients with both cancer and autoimmune disease (AD). We sought to examine immunotherapy utilization patterns between cancer patients with and without AD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from a de-identified nationwide oncology database. Patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma were included. Outcomes of i…

Determining a Stability Prognostic Panel for 636 Patients With Melanoma Using a Machine Learning Computational Framework.

Experimental dermatology · 2025 · PMID 41229385

Current prognostic evaluation in melanoma primarily relies on traditional histopathological and clinical staging evaluation; however, these conventional approaches exhibit limited accuracy and fail to account for individual patient heterogeneity. To address these limitations, we developed a machine learning-driven prognostic signature, with the objectives of identifying pivotal biomarkers and establishing a precision medicine framework for prognostic assessment in melanoma management. Bulk RNA-seq data of 636 melan…

Phenotypic, functional, prognostic and predictive significance of B-cell and antibody responses in human melanoma: a scoping review.

The British journal of dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41742701

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of B cells and the antibodies they express is increasingly appreciated in melanoma, a highly immunogenic tumour, for which immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is the standard care for advanced disease. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the phenotypes and roles of B cells and antibodies in patients with melanoma, and their prognostic and predictive value, in a scoping review following PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. METHODS: Using three search engines, we conducted literature searc…

Profiling immune check point inhibitors - Induced arthritis: A systematic review and pooled analyses of cohort studies.

Journal of autoimmunity · 2026 · PMID 42702183

BACKGROUND: The growing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the oncology field along with the potential development of the so-called immune-related adverse events (irAEs) has introduced new diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for rheumatologists. Rheumatic irAEs (Rh-irAEs), particularly those involving the musculoskeletal system, are relatively common and sometimes underdiagnosed, with an estimated prevalence of up to 7% of ICIs treated patients. In this context, we conducted a systematic review and poo…

Spinal intramedullary melanocytoma: systematic review & clinical management considerations.

Neurosurgical review · 2026 · PMID 42684499

Spinal intramedullary melanocytoma (SIM) is an exceptionally rare benign melanocytic tumor of the central nervous system, with only a limited number of cases reported to date. Diagnosis is frequently delayed and relies on histopathological confirmation to differentiate SIM from other melanocytic lesions, including malignant melanoma. Owing to the rarity of this entity, its natural history, optimal management, and follow-up strategies remain insufficiently defined. We aimed to systematically synthesize the available…

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS): diagnosis with brain metastasis (BM) - A systematic review.

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia · 2026 · PMID 42475791

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases (BM) are the most common intracranial tumors in adults, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become a mainstay of management. However, several diagnostic challenges persist in the SRS pathway, particularly the differentiation of radiation necrosis (RN) from true tumor progression, which conventional MRI and even advanced imaging techniques often cannot reliably resolve. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer the potential to address these diagnostic limitations. This s…

Efficacy of current approaches to non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer and the potential impact of artificial intelligence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS · 2026 · PMID 42585787

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, particularly within Caucasian populations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively review the current literature on non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer and evaluate the current evidence to support the use of tools in addition to, or in replacement of clinician face-to-face assessment. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for publications in PubMed, Medline and Embase databases. Articles describing accuracy,…

Evaluating Tumour Mutational Burden as a Key Biomarker in Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy: A Pan-Cancer Systematic Review.

Cancers · 2025 · PMID 39941847

BACKGROUND: Tumour mutational burden (TMB) is an emerging biomarker for predicting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer therapy. While its role is well established in lung cancer and melanoma, its predictive value for breast and prostate cancers remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to assess the predictive value of TMB for ICI therapy across four major cancer types-lung, melanoma, breast, and prostate-and to explore factors contributing to the variability in its effectiv…

Prognostic value of C-reactive protein in patients with melanoma: a meta-analysis.

Annals of medicine · 2025 · PMID 40539745

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been widely investigated for its prognostic value for melanoma, however, findings remained different. Consequently, this meta-analysis was performed for identifying its precise role in forecasting melanoma prognosis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library till 25 January 2025, and computed combined hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for estimating CRP's effect on forecasting overall survival (OS) and progression-free surv…

Ipilimumab alone or in combination with nivolumab in patients with advanced melanoma who have progressed or relapsed on PD-1 blockade: clinical outcomes and translational biomarker analyses.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2022 · PMID 35074903

BACKGROUND: There are no validated biomarkers that can aid clinicians in selecting who would best benefit from anticytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 monotherapy versus combination checkpoint blockade in patients with advanced melanoma who have progressive disease after programmed death 1 (PD-1) blockade. METHODS: We conducted a randomized multicenter phase II trial in patients with advanced melanoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1 mg/kg of nivolumab plus 3 mg/kg of ipilimumab or 3 mg/…

TREATMENT OF CHOROIDAL MELANOMA-ASSOCIATED EXUDATIVE RETINAL DETACHMENTS WITH A DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT BEFORE PROTON BEAM RADIATION.

Retinal cases & brief reports · 2026 · PMID 41592253

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of a dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) administered before proton radiation in patients with tumor-associated exudative retinal detachments. METHODS: This was an investigator-initiated pilot study. Patients diagnosed with choroidal melanomas ≤10 mm thick, detachments spanning >2 clock hours, and visual acuity of 20/100 or better were randomized 1:1 to receive the dexamethasone implant or no treatment before proton radiation. Patients, masked to treatment complete…

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Sebaceous Carcinoma: A Systematic Review, Biomarker Analysis, and Clinical Recommendations.

Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery · 2026 · PMID 42627017

Improving Risk Stratification for SLNB in Elderly Patients With Melanoma: The SENTINOLD Nomogram.

International journal of dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41966754

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is one of the strongest prognostic indicators to date for cutaneous melanoma. However, its indication in elderly patients is controversial due to lower prognostic benefits, comorbidities, and surgical risks. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a predictive model specifically tailored to patients aged ≥ 75 years with cutaneous melanoma, and to compare its performance with the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer…

Serum AIM2 as a Prognostic Biomarker for Disease Severity and Delirium in Acute Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Brain and behavior · 2026 · PMID 42625139

OBJECTIVE: Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is implicated in inflammation, and delirium is a common complication following acute pancreatitis (AP). We investigated whether serum AIM2 levels are related to severity and delirium after AP. METHODS: This multicenter prospective cohort study included 349 patients with AP and 100 controls. According to a ratio of 7:3, patients were randomly assigned to study group (244 cases) and validation group (105 cases). Severity metrics included the acute physiologic and chronic health …

A mixed inflammatory peripheral signature defines clinical outcomes in a phase II trial combining pembrolizumab with paclitaxel and carboplatin in melanoma.

Oncoimmunology · 2026 · PMID 41732954

Checkpoint blockade of PD-1 with pembrolizumab provides long-term survival to a significant proportion of patients with metastatic melanoma. Pembrolizumab has been successfully used in combination with chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer to increase the response rate. This phase II trial combined pembrolizumab with carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) to assess its safety and efficacy, and to identify correlates of responses. Thirty patients without prior immunotherapy for unresectable/metastatic melanoma were treate…

Uveal Melanoma and the Lynch Syndrome Tumor Spectrum.

JAMA ophthalmology · 2025 · PMID 40531527

IMPORTANCE: To date, no environmental factors and few therapeutic options are known for uveal melanoma (UM), the most common malignant intraocular primary tumor in adults. Identification of new predisposition factors could lead to better monitoring and possibly improved treatments of patients with UM. OBJECTIVE: To identify new genetic alterations predisposing for UM. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a prospective cohort study conducted at Institut Curie in Paris, France, among 381 consecutive patients d…

Uptake of sentinel lymph node biopsy following a melanoma diagnosis: an Australian population-based study.

Surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42556019

BACKGROUND: Discussion about sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is recommended for clinical management of patients whose melanomas meet certain criteria, however previous studies have shown relatively low uptake. It is unclear if SLNB uptake has changed over time. METHODS: A population-based study using record linkage was conducted in Australia for persons (n = 26,760) with a primary invasive melanoma diagnosis (Breslow thickness ≥0.75 mm) reported to the New South Wales (NSW) Cancer Registry between 2003 and 2018, …

GraphPert: A graph autoencoder framework for network-based drug repurposing using transcriptional signatures-A case study on melanoma.

Computers in biology and medicine · 2026 · PMID 42700516

MOTIVATION: Network-based drug repurposing leverages the principle that drug effects propagate through protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks similarly to disease perturbations. Graph-based embedding methods exploit this principle by learning low-dimensional representations that capture the network neighborhood of disease and drug target proteins, enabling similarity-based prioritization of therapeutic candidates. However, existing approaches that learn fixed embeddings from a static graph cannot accommodate pe…

Years of life lost in patients with a false-negative diagnosis of primary melanoma. A prospective study of the German Central Malignant Melanoma Registry involving 9063 patients over 28 years.

Nature communications · 2026 · PMID 42393046

A false-negative diagnosis of cancer can lead to a delay in effective treatment and a poorer prognosis. Here, we use the example of cutaneous melanoma to examine how many years of life are lost after a false-negative diagnosis compared to a primarily correct diagnosis. From 1996 to 2015, 9,063 patients are prospectively registered in the German Central Malignant Melanoma Registry and followed up until December 2023. A false-negative diagnosis is found in 206 (2.3%) patients. The median time to correct diagnosis is …

Narrow-band UV-B (TL-01) Phototherapy Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk: A Nested Case-control Study.

Acta dermato-venereologica · 2026 · PMID 42713961

Narrow-band TL-01 ultraviolet B phototherapy (TL-01) is generally considered a relatively safe treatment for skin diseases, although conflicting findings have also been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the association between TL-01 exposure and skin cancer risk using a nested case-control design within a Finnish cohort of 4,815 patients treated with TL-01 monotherapy, with subsequent 38 cases of basal cell carcinoma, 13 cases of cutaneous melanoma, and 9 cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Four matche…

Survival Nomogram for Stage IV (M1a-c) Melanoma: A Population-Based Study Highlighting the Prognostic Correlates of Surgery in Pre-Immunotherapy and Early Immunotherapy Eras.

Journal of investigative surgery : the official journal of the Academy of Surgical Research · 2026 · PMID 42446161

OBJECTIVE: Metastatic melanoma has a poor prognosis. This study aimed to develop and validate era-specific nomograms for Stage IV (M1a-c) melanoma and assess the survival impact of surgery across two eras. METHODS: This retrospective Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) study included 3,319 stage IV melanoma patients divided into pre-immunotherapy era (2001-2005, n = 622) and early immunotherapy era (2011-2015, n = 2,697) cohorts. Cox regression identified overall survival (OS) prognostic factors. Era…

Biomarkers of mRNA vaccine efficacy derived from mechanistic modeling of tumor-immune interactions.

PLoS computational biology · 2025 · PMID 40504865

The success of mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases such as COVID-19 has opened new avenues for their application in oncology. In cancer immunotherapy, mRNA vaccines-typically encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) 100-200 nm in size-enable delivery of tumor-specific antigens to activate immune responses. Here, we investigated the efficacy of mRNA vaccines in cancer by modeling tumor-immune interactions and tumor microenvironment (TME) dynamics to identify predictive biomarkers. Using a mechanistic mathema…

Epidemiological trends in penile cancer and the evolving role of dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Urologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42711149

INTRODUCTION: Penile cancer (PeCa) is a rare but aggressive malignancy with growing global incidence. The most influential prognostic factor in PeCa is the presence of nodal metastasis. Current imaging modalities lack the diagnostic accuracy to reliably detect micro-metastasis in PeCa. Since 2015, Dynamic Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (DSLNBx) emerged as a means of accurately detecting nodal metastases in PeCa. The impact of DSLNBx on overall and cancer-specific survival years remains to be established in the Irish po…

Prevalence of the Predisposing Gene MBD4 for Uveal Melanoma.

JAMA ophthalmology · 2026 · PMID 42060275

IMPORTANCE: MBD4 monoallelic germline pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants have recently been identified as predisposing to uveal melanoma, a rare primary intraocular tumor, with an estimated 9.15-fold increased risk of developing the disease for pathogenic variant carriers. OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of developing uveal melanoma for carriers of the MBD4 monoallelic germline pathogenic variant. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In a case series involving 896 individuals, including 319 who were previously e…

Evidence of genetic susceptibility to immune-related dermatitis in patients with melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Melanoma research · 2026 · PMID 42647409

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-mediated dermatitis is a common treatment-related adverse event. We conducted single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-array genotyping on germline DNA from 744 participants in a phase three adjuvant trial of ipilimumab in melanoma. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between inherited genetic markers and the occurrence of dermatitis. We also tested previously reported dermatitis-related polygenic risk scores (PRS) adjusting for genetic ancestry. Dermatitis of any g…

A relative methylation ordering biomarker of lactylation-related genes predicts prognosis and therapeutic response in cutaneous melanoma.

Epigenetics · 2026 · PMID 42118848

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is highly invasive with limited prognostic tools, and the prognostic relevance of lactylation, a novel post-translational modification, remains unexplored. We developed a lactylation-related prognostic model using relative methylation orderings from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) melanoma cohort (n = 458), which was validated in two dependent cohorts (n = 241). Comprehensive analyses of immune infiltration, therapy efficacy, drug sensitivity, and tumour mutation burden were conducted between…

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of melanoma: A retrospective cohort study in Xinjiang, China.

PloS one · 2026 · PMID 42715204

The incidence of melanoma is substantially lower in Asians than in Caucasians. This study retrospectively analyzed 355 patients in Xinjiang, China, to delineate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of melanoma in this region. The median overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 78.0 and 46.0 months with 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS/DFS rates of 83.3%/68.3%/57.0% and 80.4%/59.5%/43.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified advanced AJCC stage and elevated LDH as independent predictors of…

Longitudinal BRAF ctDNA monitoring in melanoma reflects disease status and predicts relapse.

Journal of dermatological science · 2026 · PMID 42532763

BACKGROUND: Early detection of melanoma relapse after curative-intent surgery remains challenging, and routine follow-up relies on imaging and imperfect serum biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether longitudinal BRAF-mutant circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) reflects disease status and whether time-updated ctDNA detection and concentration are associated with relapse hazard during post-resection surveillance. METHODS: We conducted a prospective real-world cohort study including 127 AJCC stage II-IV melanoma patients w…

Management of Dermatological Adverse Events Associated With MEK Inhibitors.

Actas dermo-sifiliograficas · 2026 · PMID 41999864

MEK inhibitors (MEKi) have transformed the treatment of tumors such as melanoma and plexiform neurofibroma in neurofibromatosis type 1, but they are frequently associated with dermatological adverse effects that may affect quality of life and treatment adherence. This expert consensus reviews the evidence and provides practical recommendations for the prevention and management of the most common cutaneous toxicities associated with MEKi, including acneiform rash, eczematous dermatitis, xerosis, paronychia, photosen…

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Staging and Follow-Up of Melanoma.

Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR · 2026 · PMID 41823939

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence supporting different imaging modalities and techniques used for the staging and surveillance of patients with cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and ocular melanoma. Guidelines are provided based on nodal status, presence of metastases at baseline, suspected metastases, and local stage. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary exper…

Melanoma: Cutaneous, Version 2.2026, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN · 2026 · PMID 42297031

The NCCN Guidelines for Melanoma: Cutaneous provide strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with cutaneous melanoma, which is among the most common cancers in the United States. The outcome of cutaneous melanoma is significantly influenced by stage at initial presentation. Generally, localized disease and smaller primary tumors have been associated with more favorable prognosis. Thus, the select content featured in this issue focuses on risk factors associated with cutaneous melanoma deve…

ESR Essentials: imaging of melanoma-practice recommendations by the European Society of Oncologic Imaging.

European radiology · 2026 · PMID 42213112

Staging and response assessment of melanoma is a challenging radiological task as the tumor entity is characterized by atypical metastatic phenotypes and response patterns. Radiologists should scrutinize diagnostic images for unusual metastatic sites, including, e.g., gastrointestinal, endobronchial, or splenic metastases. Routine imaging modalities must include body CT or PET/CT staging and brain MRI. Response assessment is complicated by pseudoprogression and dissociated response, which radiologists must identify…

The prognostic impact of pregnancy-associated melanoma on overall and melanoma-specific survival: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2026 · PMID 42128245

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-associated melanoma (PAM) - melanoma diagnosed during pregnancy or within 12 months postpartum - raises concern that physiological immune adaptations may worsen tumour outcomes, yet whether PAM independently confers worse survival remains unresolved. METHODS: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov for observational studies comparing survival in PAM versus non-PAM women reporting adjusted hazard ratios. Risk of bias was assessed with ROBINS-E. Four pre-spec…

The neurological adverse events of immune check point inhibitors in the treatment of cancer.

Journal of neurology · 2026 · PMID 42251157

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment with significant improvements in survival rates. With the increase in ICI use in the clinical setting, several case reports and series have described neurological adverse events associated with it. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the incidence of neurological adverse events among ICI clinical trials. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials…

Deep learning for early diagnosis of uveal melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico · 2026 · PMID 41615646

BACKGROUND: Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare cancer with an estimated annual incidence of 6 incidences per million people. About half of UM patients develop distant metastases, mainly to the liver. After metastasis, prognosis is poor, with median survival under 1 year and limited treatment options. Thus, earlier diagnostic methods for UM are a critical unmet need. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, and combined F1 score) of deep learning algorithms in the differential diagnos…

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myositis, myocarditis, and myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome: a systematic review and pooled analysis of individual cases.

Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · PMID 42591394

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related overlap syndrome involving myositis, myocarditis, and myasthenia gravis (3M overlap syndrome) is rare but potentially fatal. Current evidence is derived mainly from case reports and small case series, and individual case-level data on ancillary diagnostic findings, baseline comorbidities, treatment patterns, and short-term outcomes remain limited. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of published case reports and case series and a pooled analysis of individ…

BRAF-targeted therapy in non-melanomatous BRAF-mutant tumours: a systematic review of broad but histology-modulated efficacy.

International journal of clinical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42277540

BACKGROUND: Tumour agnostic therapies represent a paradigm shift in oncology. BRAF inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in melanoma. However, their role in non-melanomatous cancers was originally contentious. This systematic review aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BRAF-targeted therapies, both as monotherapy and in combination with other targeted therapies, in BRAF-mutated, non-melanomatous tumours. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL was conducted from January 2…

Circulating tumor DNA for predicting recurrence and mortality in patients with resected Melanoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cancer treatment reviews · 2026 · PMID 42107274

BACKGROUND: Resectable melanoma remains associated with substantial relapse risk despite adjuvant therapy, and prognostic biomarkers for better risk stratification are urgently needed. We evaluated the prognostic and diagnostic performance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with resectable melanoma. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched through July 2025 for studies evaluating ctDNA detection in patients with resected melanoma and reporting outcomes of interest. All …

Time to subsequent therapy (TTST) as an endpoint in clinical studies: development of standardized documentation of subsequent therapy through systematic literature review, expert interviews, and Delphi survey.

Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42742636

BACKGROUND: The endpoint Time to Subsequent Therapy (TTST) is an intermediate endpoint used in research and regulatory assessments. TTST denotes initiation of subsequent therapy and is a clearly definable, clinically relevant event for healthcare professionals. However, it has not been systematically established to which extent TTST is subjectively meaningful to patients. The objective of this study was to define TTST as a patient-relevant intermediate endpoint. METHODS: The study examined five oncological indicati…

Concomitant use of H1 antihistamines improves survival outcomes in cancer patients on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Expert review of anticancer therapy · 2026 · PMID 41543026

INTRODUCTION: The rapid progress of immuno-oncology has transformed cancer pharmacotherapy through immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs); however, only a minority of patients experience durable benefits. Recent evidence suggests that concomitant administration of H1 antihistamines may synergistically enhance ICI efficacy by modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. This meta-analysis evaluated the association between H1 antihistamine use and outcomes in cancer patients undergoing ICI therapy. METHODS: Comprehensi…

Evaluating the potential of candidate surrogate endpoints for overall survival in treatment-naive metastatic melanoma treated with anti-PD-1-based regimens with or without anti-CTLA-4 therapy.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42697593

BACKGROUND: Using surrogates for overall survival (OS) may expedite the development of, and patient access to, novel treatments. We assessed potential surrogates for OS in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with nivolumab-containing regimens in the first-line treatment setting. METHODS: We used individual-patient data from 1865 patients enrolled in four randomized controlled trials studying single-agent nivolumab or combinations of nivolumab and ipilimumab against dacarbazine or immunotherapy. Using the two-…

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Desmoplastic Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 41870859

BACKGROUND: The propensity of desmoplastic melanoma (DM) to spread to regional lymph nodes remains disputed, creating uncertainty regarding the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). This is further complicated by challenges in distinguishing pure from mixed histologic subtypes. We evaluated pooled SLN positivity rates for both subtypes to clarify the utility of SLNB in the workup of patients with DM. METHODS: Two databases (PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE) were searched through July 2025. We included studies in which …

Re-evaluating melanoma treatment: a comparative look at herpes simplex virus and coxsackievirus oncolytic therapies in advanced melanoma: a meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Melanoma research · 2026 · PMID 42130334

Advanced melanoma, a highly lethal skin cancer, causes most skin cancer-related deaths. Oncolytic monotherapy or alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is emerging as a promising treatment. Evaluating the therapeutic benefit and toxicity profile of different oncolytic viruses is essential to identify the most effective option. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-based meta-analysis was conducted to assess and contrast the therapeutic effectiveness and tolerability of herpes s…

Primary ovarian malignant melanoma: A systematic review of cases and pooled analysis.

Gynecologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42224890

OBJECTIVE: Primary ovarian malignant melanoma is a rare malignancy arising from malignant transformation of a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary. Evidence is limited to case reports and case series. This systematic review and pooled analysis summarise clinical characteristics, management strategies and outcomes of this rare disease. METHODS: Systematic searches of Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science were conducted from inception to September 2025 identifying all case reports and case series reporti…

Training Medical Students/Medical Practitioners to Diagnose Dermatologic Conditions in Skin of Color: A Systematic Review of Educational Interventions.

Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery · 2026 · PMID 41571279

Despite increasing recognition of the importance of skin-of-color (SOC) representation in dermatology education, significant gaps persist in training medical students to diagnose dermatologic conditions across diverse skin tones. This systematic review analyzed educational interventions aimed at improving SOC diagnostic competency among medical trainees. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo, and Scopus identified 8 studies comprising 667 participants, revealing categories: didactic teaching (33.1…

Intrathecal immune checkpoint inhibitors as adjunctive therapy for leptomeningeal disease: A case series and systematic review.

Neurosurgical review · 2026 · PMID 42625079

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are promising for leptomeningeal disease (LMD), but systemic delivery is limited by poor cerebrospinal fluid penetration and treatment-related toxicity. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of adjunctive intrathecal (IT) ICI therapy compared with systemic ICI alone. We report two institutional cases of melanoma-associated LMD treated with IT ICI alongside systemic therapy. Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were systematically reviewed, identifying 28…

Single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery vs. hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for resected brain metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

Neurosurgical review · 2026 · PMID 42700305

Postoperative stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is widely used after resection of limited brain metastases, but the optimal fractionation remains uncertain. Single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SF-SRS) is convenient and well established, whereas hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HF-SRT) may improve dose delivery and normal tissue tolerance in larger or more complex cavities. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared these two postoperative approaches. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched f…

Update on the management of leptomeningeal disease in solid organ malignancy: Systemic, intrathecal and novel therapies.

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia · 2026 · PMID 42140114

BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is an increasingly recognised late-stage complication of solid tumours (primarily melanoma, lung and breast cancers). It involves dissemination to the leptomeninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord and carries a poor prognosis ranging from 2-6 months. Recent advances in emerging therapies such as CNS-active targeted therapy, intrathecal agents, and early-phase immunotherapy necessitate an updated appraisal of prospective data. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Em…

Percutaneous hepatic perfusion versus best alternative care as treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma: A meta-analysis.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2026 · PMID 42330566

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the efficacy of percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) in metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) is largely derived from single-arm studies without comparators, complicating interpretation of treatment benefit, particularly for survival. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize available evidence on the efficacy and safety of PHP in patients with mUM and compare outcomes with best alternative care (BAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched from database ince…

A global perspective on prognosis in acral and nonacral cutaneous melanoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA · 2026 · PMID 42487166

BACKGROUND: Acral melanoma (AM) is a rare cutaneous malignancy associated with poor survival. However, prognostic differences between AM and nonacral cutaneous melanoma (NAM) remain unclear. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare survival outcomes between patients with AM and those with NAM. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched for studies published between January 2000 and December 2025. Studies comparing the 5-year overall survival (OS) …

Intratumoral and intracranial hemorrhage associated with MAPK-pathway targeted therapy: a systematic review and mechanistic synthesis.

Journal of neuro-oncology · 2026 · PMID 42455393

PURPOSE: MAPK-pathway inhibitors including BRAF, MEK, and type II RAF inhibitors are now integral to treatment of pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG), BRAF V600-mutant glioma, NF1-associated tumors, and melanoma brain metastases. Intratumoral and intracranial hemorrhage has emerged as a clinically relevant safety signal, but drug-specific incidence estimates, phenotypic definitions, and contributing mechanisms remain incompletely characterized. We systematically reviewed the evidence and synthesized contributing mech…

Microsurgical treatment of lower extremity lymphedema: An umbrella systematic review supporting the American Venous Forum and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society clinical practice guidelines on management of lymphedema.

Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders · 2026 · PMID 42208734

BACKGROUND: Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) are established microsurgical options for chronic lymphedema. This umbrella systematic review synthesizes evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to define indications for lymphatic microsurgery and inform forthcoming practice guidelines of the American Venous Forum and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society. METHODS: A systematic search of multiple electronic databases identified English-language systematic reviews a…

Clinical characteristics, management and outcomes in immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced central nervous system demyelinating disease.

Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2026 · PMID 42625088

BACKGROUND: The expanding clinical use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to increased recognition of neurological immune-related adverse events, among which central nervous system demyelinating disease (ICI-CDD) represents a rare but clinically severe complication. Current evidence remains largely confined to case reports and small case series, highlighting the need for a comprehensive characterization of this condition. METHODS: A systematic review and pooled analysis of published case reports and cas…

Systemic Therapy for Melanoma: ASCO Guideline Update.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2023 · PMID 37579248

PURPOSE: To provide guidance to clinicians regarding the use of systemic therapy for melanoma. METHODS: American Society of Clinical Oncology convened an Expert Panel and conducted an updated systematic review of the literature. RESULTS: The updated review identified 21 additional randomized trials. UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS: Neoadjuvant pembrolizumab was newly recommended for patients with resectable stage IIIB to IV cutaneous melanoma. For patients with resected cutaneous melanoma, adjuvant nivolumab or pembrolizum…

Evaluating the potential of candidate surrogate endpoints for overall survival in treatment-naive metastatic melanoma treated with anti-PD-1-based regimens with or without anti-CTLA-4 therapy.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42697593

BACKGROUND: Using surrogates for overall survival (OS) may expedite the development of, and patient access to, novel treatments. We assessed potential surrogates for OS in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with nivolumab-containing regimens in the first-line treatment setting. METHODS: We used individual-patient data from 1865 patients enrolled in four randomized controlled trials studying single-agent nivolumab or combinations of nivolumab and ipilimumab against dacarbazine or immunotherapy. Using the two-…

Effect of smoking on melanoma incidence: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Journal of the National Cancer Institute · 2024 · PMID 38913874

BACKGROUND: There is a strong correlation between cigarette smoking and the development of many cancer types. It is therefore paradoxical that multiple reports have suggested a reduced incidence of melanoma in smokers. This study aimed to analyze all existing studies of melanoma incidence in smokers relative to nonsmokers. METHODS: Searches of MEDLINE and Embase were conducted for studies reporting data on melanoma in smokers and never-smokers. No study design limitations or language restrictions were applied. The …

Surgical excision margins in primary cutaneous melanoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology · 2021 · PMID 33722422

BACKGROUND: The main treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma is surgery. This review aims to assess the width of excision margin that minimises the risk of adverse outcome from surgery, locoregional recurrence, distant recurrence, and death. METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were followed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and four other databases were searched by using the term "melanoma", "margin", and limiting the search to randomised clinical trials (RCTs). RESULTS: Seven RCTs involving 4579 patients data were analysed. No statistical…

Surgical treatment of anorectal melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BJS open · 2021 · PMID 34958352

BACKGROUND: Anorectal melanoma is a rare neoplasm with a poor prognosis. The surgical approaches for anorectal melanoma can be categorized into local excision (procedures without lymph node removal and preservation of the rectum) and extensive resection (procedures with rectum and pararectal lymph node removal). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the survival of patients who underwent extensive resection with that of patients who underwent local excision, stratifying patients accordi…

A ten-year literature review of oral malignant melanoma cases: A meta-analysis study.

Journal of stomatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery · 2024 · PMID 38795910

AIM: Oral malignant melanoma (OMM) is a rare and aggressive malignant tumour arising from the proliferation of melanocytes and accounts for only 0.5 % of all oral malignancies. It is invasive and tends to metastasise. The aim of this study is to determine the patient profile of OMM and to provide information about the clinical features and treatment plans of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Pubmed database was searched for OMM cases published as case reports in the last 10 years. The search was limited to En…

Use of sunscreen and risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

European journal of dermatology : EJD · 2018 · PMID 29620003

The use of sunscreen is a key component of public health campaigns for skin cancer prevention, but epidemiological studies have raised doubts on its effectiveness in the general population. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between risk of skin cancer and sunscreen use. We searched PubMed, BIREME and Google Scholar from inception to May 17, 2017, to identify observational studies and controlled trials. We used a random-effects model for conventional and cumulative meta-analyse…

Coffee consumption and the risk of cutaneous melanoma: a meta-analysis.

European journal of nutrition · 2016 · PMID 26695410

PURPOSE: Results from epidemiologic studies on coffee consumption and the risk of cutaneous melanoma are inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the associations between the consumption of total coffee, caffeinated coffee and decaffeinated coffee and the risk of cutaneous melanoma, respectively. METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE for relevant articles published up to August 2015. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculate…

Melanoma in children: A systematic review and individual patient meta-analysis.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2023 · PMID 37210654

The current evidence on paediatric melanoma is heterogeneous, especially regarding the prognosis of different histological subtypes. We sought to systematically review the evidence on paediatric melanoma, highlighting the major sources of heterogeneity and focusing on available data on single patients. A systematic search was performed from 1948 to 25 January 2021. Only studies reporting at least one case of cutaneous melanoma in patients aged ≤18 years were included. Unknown primary and uncertain malignant melanom…

Regional disease control in sinonasal mucosal melanoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Head & neck · 2021 · PMID 33151611

PURPOSE: To systematically analyze the regional disease control after sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) primary treatment. METHODS: The study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines searching on Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies with 936 patients (median age: 68.0 years, IQR 65-71) were included. Overall, the cumulative regional recurrence rate (RRR) was 18.4% (n = 917, 99% CI: 14.0%-23.4%), with a median follow-up of 30.0 months (n = 765…

Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Genomics of Mucosal Melanoma.

Molecular cancer research : MCR · 2021 · PMID 33707307

Mucosal melanoma is a rare subtype of melanoma. To date, there has been no comprehensive systematic collation and statistical analysis of the aberrations and aggregated frequency of driver events across multiple studies. Published studies using whole genome, whole exome, targeted gene panel, or individual gene sequencing were identified. Datasets from these studies were collated to summarize mutations, structural variants, and regions of copy-number alteration. Studies using next-generation sequencing were divided …

Adjuvant therapy for cutaneous melanoma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of new therapies.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2020 · PMID 31721319

New drugs have been recently approved as adjuvant therapies for melanoma. In this Bayesian network meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the best therapeutic option in terms of recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library and the American Society of Clinical Oncology databases were searched from inception until 20 August 2018. We estimated adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for RFS and OS and relative odds ratios (ORs) for AEs and surface under the cumulativ…

Systematic Review of Health Insurance and Survival Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients.

Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology · 2026 · PMID 41649004

Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among female adolescents and young adults (AYAs) and the second leading cause after heart disease among males in the United States. Despite recent improvements in survival outcomes, AYAs continue to experience poorer cancer survival rates compared with pediatric and older adult populations. Health care access and quality are substantially influenced by insurance coverage, and AYAs represent the age group with the highest proportion of uninsured individuals. The o…

GWAS meta-analysis provides new insights into uveal melanoma risk.

British journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42303830

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to identify germline genetic variants that predispose to uveal melanoma (UM) using data from nine studies involving 5839 individuals with UM (3853 novel) and 349,863 healthy controls. METHODS: Five novel UM genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed and included for meta-analysis with four previously published UM GWAS. A fixed-effects inverse-variance weighted (IVW) meta-analysis was performed by combining data from these nine UM case-control cohorts. A follow-up tr…

Melanoma of unknown primary: a comprehensive review of immune-mediated pathogenesis and therapies.

The oncologist · 2025 · PMID 41389289

Melanoma of unknown primary (MUP) is a rare subtype of melanoma, with its low incidence posing challenges for clinical management. This systematic review integrates recent advances in MUP research, with a focus on pathogenesis, molecular characteristics, and therapeutic strategies. The proposed pathogenesis involves spontaneous regression of the primary lesion, potentially driven by sequential immune responses mediated by T cells and natural killer cells. At the molecular level, whole-exome/genome analyses reveal t…

Clinical outcomes of BRAF plus MEK inhibition in melanoma: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Cancer medicine · 2019 · PMID 31393083

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is a potentially fatal malignancy with poor prognosis. Several recent studies have demonstrated that combination therapy of BRAF and MEK inhibition achieved better curative effect and appeared less toxic effects. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety between BRAF inhibition plus MEK inhibition combination therapy and BRAF inhibition monotherapy in melanoma patients. METHODS: We performed the search in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from January 2010 to Janua…

Melanoma-like features in pediatric longitudinal melanonychia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pediatric dermatology · 2024 · PMID 38500311

BACKGROUND: Pediatric longitudinal melanonychia (LM) can exhibit atypical features that mimic red-flag signs for subungual melanoma in adults and lead to diagnostic uncertainty. Nail biopsy may be unnecessary if clinical inspection and dermoscopy suggest a benign nature. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Embase from inception to February 2023 for studies of any design reporting either the number or proportion of clinical and dermoscopic features in at least five children (≤18 years) with LM. Non-English articles, rev…

Circulating microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BMC cancer · 2023 · PMID 37158840

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as diagnostic biomarkers for melanoma. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating miRNAs for melanoma. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted and the quality of the included literature was evaluated using QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment for diagnostic accuracy studies), and the diagnostic accuracy was assessed by pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelih…

Physical examinations and whole-body imaging versus physical examinations alone during follow-up after radical surgery of stage IIB-C and III cutaneous malignant melanoma (TRIM): an interim analysis of a multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial in Sweden.

The Lancet. Oncology · 2025 · PMID 41167217

BACKGROUND: In several countries, whole-body imaging has been introduced in the routine follow-up of individuals with high-risk cutaneous malignant melanoma after surgery. However, there is scarce evidence that earlier detection of recurrent disease by regular scanning improves survival. In this interim analysis, we investigated whether imaging in the follow-up programme for high-risk cutaneous malignant melanoma improves survival and assessed whether the study should continue to include participants. METHODS: TRIM…

primary analysis of the RANDOMIZED eortc-2139/columbus-ad trial: Adjuvant encorafenib and binimetinib versus placebo in high-risk stage II BRAF-V600E/K melanoma.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2026 · PMID 42501621

PURPOSE: Stage IIB/IIC melanoma has a high risk of recurrence after resection. Combined BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy showed benefit in resected high-risk stage III and advanced melanoma. The objective of this study was to investigate its role in stage IIB/IIC. METHODS: Adult patients with resected stage IIB/IIC cutaneous melanoma which had a BRAF V600E/K mutation were randomized 1:1 to receive encorafenib (enco) 450 mg QD + binimetinib (bini) 45 mg BID orally for one year or placebo. The study planned to randomize 81…

Balloon cell melanoma: a systematic review.

International journal of dermatology · 2022 · PMID 33645660

Balloon cell melanoma (BCM) is a rare presentation of malignant melanoma characterized by large, foamy melanocytes lacking pigmentation. This is a comprehensive review of the clinical, dermoscopic, and histological features among BCM cases reported in the literature. A systematic review of all case reports and series published since 1970 was conducted via MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science, using "balloon cell melanoma" and synonymous search terms. Our systematic search identified 76 cases (49% male, 51% female) o…

Activity and safety of first-line treatments for advanced melanoma: A network meta-analysis.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2023 · PMID 37196485

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for advanced melanoma have increased with the US Food and Drug Administration approval of the anti-LAG3 plus anti-PD-1 relatlimab/nivolumab combination. To date, ipilimumab/nivolumab is the benchmark of overall survival, despite a high toxicity profile. Furthermore, in BRAF-mutant patients, BRAF/MEK inhibitors and the atezolizumab/vemurafenib/cobimetinib triplet are also available treatments, making the first-line therapy selection more complex. To address this issue, we conducted a sy…

TERT promoter mutations and melanoma survival: A comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2021 · PMID 33675908

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between somatic mutations of the TERT gene promoter and melanoma survival. Data from nineteen independent studies (>2,500 melanoma overall) were pooled using random effects meta-analysis models. TERT-mutated melanoma patients had a significantly worse overall survival (OS) (summary hazard ratio 1.43, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 1.05-1.95) compared to wild-type ones. The association became stronger when combining risk estimates for overall and …

Malignant melanoma of the prostate gland: A systematic review.

Pathology, research and practice · 2021 · PMID 34481214

AIMS: Prostatic melanoma is a rare malignancy about which only scattered case reports and no systematic reviews have been published to date. We sought to better inform clinicians and pathologists caring for these patients by gathering all available evidence on the topic. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of English and non-English articles indexed in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Google Scholar about primary and metastatic prostatic melanoma. RESULTS: In total, 25 studies describing 45 cases were identified. M…

Clinical Practice Guidelines on Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Quality Appraisal Using the AGREE II Instrument.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2022 · PMID 36121581

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is standard of care for the evaluation of clinically negative regional lymph nodes in patients with cutaneous melanoma. As the presence of metastases dictates patient prognosis and determines the need for further regional disease control or adjuvant therapy, SLNB is invaluable to clinical decision-making in patients presenting with melanoma. However, the indications for SLNB, specifically among patients with thin (<1 mm) or thick (>4 …

ESR Essentials: imaging of melanoma-practice recommendations by the European Society of Oncologic Imaging.

European radiology · 2026 · PMID 42213112

Staging and response assessment of melanoma is a challenging radiological task as the tumor entity is characterized by atypical metastatic phenotypes and response patterns. Radiologists should scrutinize diagnostic images for unusual metastatic sites, including, e.g., gastrointestinal, endobronchial, or splenic metastases. Routine imaging modalities must include body CT or PET/CT staging and brain MRI. Response assessment is complicated by pseudoprogression and dissociated response, which radiologists must identify…

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Staging and Follow-Up of Melanoma.

Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR · 2026 · PMID 41823939

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence supporting different imaging modalities and techniques used for the staging and surveillance of patients with cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and ocular melanoma. Guidelines are provided based on nodal status, presence of metastases at baseline, suspected metastases, and local stage. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary exper…

Management of Dermatological Adverse Events Associated With MEK Inhibitors.

Actas dermo-sifiliograficas · 2026 · PMID 41999864

MEK inhibitors (MEKi) have transformed the treatment of tumors such as melanoma and plexiform neurofibroma in neurofibromatosis type 1, but they are frequently associated with dermatological adverse effects that may affect quality of life and treatment adherence. This expert consensus reviews the evidence and provides practical recommendations for the prevention and management of the most common cutaneous toxicities associated with MEKi, including acneiform rash, eczematous dermatitis, xerosis, paronychia, photosen…

The prognostic impact of pregnancy-associated melanoma on overall and melanoma-specific survival: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · 2026 · PMID 42128245

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-associated melanoma (PAM) - melanoma diagnosed during pregnancy or within 12 months postpartum - raises concern that physiological immune adaptations may worsen tumour outcomes, yet whether PAM independently confers worse survival remains unresolved. METHODS: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov for observational studies comparing survival in PAM versus non-PAM women reporting adjusted hazard ratios. Risk of bias was assessed with ROBINS-E. Four pre-spec…

Deep learning for early diagnosis of uveal melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico · 2026 · PMID 41615646

BACKGROUND: Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare cancer with an estimated annual incidence of 6 incidences per million people. About half of UM patients develop distant metastases, mainly to the liver. After metastasis, prognosis is poor, with median survival under 1 year and limited treatment options. Thus, earlier diagnostic methods for UM are a critical unmet need. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, and combined F1 score) of deep learning algorithms in the differential diagnos…

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myositis, myocarditis, and myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome: a systematic review and pooled analysis of individual cases.

Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · PMID 42591394

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related overlap syndrome involving myositis, myocarditis, and myasthenia gravis (3M overlap syndrome) is rare but potentially fatal. Current evidence is derived mainly from case reports and small case series, and individual case-level data on ancillary diagnostic findings, baseline comorbidities, treatment patterns, and short-term outcomes remain limited. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of published case reports and case series and a pooled analysis of individ…

BRAF-targeted therapy in non-melanomatous BRAF-mutant tumours: a systematic review of broad but histology-modulated efficacy.

International journal of clinical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42277540

BACKGROUND: Tumour agnostic therapies represent a paradigm shift in oncology. BRAF inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in melanoma. However, their role in non-melanomatous cancers was originally contentious. This systematic review aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BRAF-targeted therapies, both as monotherapy and in combination with other targeted therapies, in BRAF-mutated, non-melanomatous tumours. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL was conducted from January 2…

Time to subsequent therapy (TTST) as an endpoint in clinical studies: development of standardized documentation of subsequent therapy through systematic literature review, expert interviews, and Delphi survey.

Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42742636

BACKGROUND: The endpoint Time to Subsequent Therapy (TTST) is an intermediate endpoint used in research and regulatory assessments. TTST denotes initiation of subsequent therapy and is a clearly definable, clinically relevant event for healthcare professionals. However, it has not been systematically established to which extent TTST is subjectively meaningful to patients. The objective of this study was to define TTST as a patient-relevant intermediate endpoint. METHODS: The study examined five oncological indicati…

Concomitant use of H1 antihistamines improves survival outcomes in cancer patients on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Expert review of anticancer therapy · 2026 · PMID 41543026

INTRODUCTION: The rapid progress of immuno-oncology has transformed cancer pharmacotherapy through immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs); however, only a minority of patients experience durable benefits. Recent evidence suggests that concomitant administration of H1 antihistamines may synergistically enhance ICI efficacy by modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. This meta-analysis evaluated the association between H1 antihistamine use and outcomes in cancer patients undergoing ICI therapy. METHODS: Comprehensi…

Evaluating the potential of candidate surrogate endpoints for overall survival in treatment-naive metastatic melanoma treated with anti-PD-1-based regimens with or without anti-CTLA-4 therapy.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42697593

BACKGROUND: Using surrogates for overall survival (OS) may expedite the development of, and patient access to, novel treatments. We assessed potential surrogates for OS in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with nivolumab-containing regimens in the first-line treatment setting. METHODS: We used individual-patient data from 1865 patients enrolled in four randomized controlled trials studying single-agent nivolumab or combinations of nivolumab and ipilimumab against dacarbazine or immunotherapy. Using the two-…

Re-evaluating melanoma treatment: a comparative look at herpes simplex virus and coxsackievirus oncolytic therapies in advanced melanoma: a meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Melanoma research · 2026 · PMID 42130334

Advanced melanoma, a highly lethal skin cancer, causes most skin cancer-related deaths. Oncolytic monotherapy or alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is emerging as a promising treatment. Evaluating the therapeutic benefit and toxicity profile of different oncolytic viruses is essential to identify the most effective option. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-based meta-analysis was conducted to assess and contrast the therapeutic effectiveness and tolerability of herpes s…

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Desmoplastic Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 41870859

BACKGROUND: The propensity of desmoplastic melanoma (DM) to spread to regional lymph nodes remains disputed, creating uncertainty regarding the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). This is further complicated by challenges in distinguishing pure from mixed histologic subtypes. We evaluated pooled SLN positivity rates for both subtypes to clarify the utility of SLNB in the workup of patients with DM. METHODS: Two databases (PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE) were searched through July 2025. We included studies in which …

Primary ovarian malignant melanoma: A systematic review of cases and pooled analysis.

Gynecologic oncology · 2026 · PMID 42224890

OBJECTIVE: Primary ovarian malignant melanoma is a rare malignancy arising from malignant transformation of a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary. Evidence is limited to case reports and case series. This systematic review and pooled analysis summarise clinical characteristics, management strategies and outcomes of this rare disease. METHODS: Systematic searches of Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science were conducted from inception to September 2025 identifying all case reports and case series reporti…

Intrathecal immune checkpoint inhibitors as adjunctive therapy for leptomeningeal disease: A case series and systematic review.

Neurosurgical review · 2026 · PMID 42625079

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are promising for leptomeningeal disease (LMD), but systemic delivery is limited by poor cerebrospinal fluid penetration and treatment-related toxicity. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of adjunctive intrathecal (IT) ICI therapy compared with systemic ICI alone. We report two institutional cases of melanoma-associated LMD treated with IT ICI alongside systemic therapy. Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were systematically reviewed, identifying 28…

Single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery vs. hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for resected brain metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

Neurosurgical review · 2026 · PMID 42700305

Postoperative stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is widely used after resection of limited brain metastases, but the optimal fractionation remains uncertain. Single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SF-SRS) is convenient and well established, whereas hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HF-SRT) may improve dose delivery and normal tissue tolerance in larger or more complex cavities. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared these two postoperative approaches. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched f…

Update on the management of leptomeningeal disease in solid organ malignancy: Systemic, intrathecal and novel therapies.

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia · 2026 · PMID 42140114

BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is an increasingly recognised late-stage complication of solid tumours (primarily melanoma, lung and breast cancers). It involves dissemination to the leptomeninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord and carries a poor prognosis ranging from 2-6 months. Recent advances in emerging therapies such as CNS-active targeted therapy, intrathecal agents, and early-phase immunotherapy necessitate an updated appraisal of prospective data. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Em…

Percutaneous hepatic perfusion versus best alternative care as treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma: A meta-analysis.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2026 · PMID 42330566

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the efficacy of percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) in metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) is largely derived from single-arm studies without comparators, complicating interpretation of treatment benefit, particularly for survival. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize available evidence on the efficacy and safety of PHP in patients with mUM and compare outcomes with best alternative care (BAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched from database ince…

Intratumoral and intracranial hemorrhage associated with MAPK-pathway targeted therapy: a systematic review and mechanistic synthesis.

Journal of neuro-oncology · 2026 · PMID 42455393

PURPOSE: MAPK-pathway inhibitors including BRAF, MEK, and type II RAF inhibitors are now integral to treatment of pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG), BRAF V600-mutant glioma, NF1-associated tumors, and melanoma brain metastases. Intratumoral and intracranial hemorrhage has emerged as a clinically relevant safety signal, but drug-specific incidence estimates, phenotypic definitions, and contributing mechanisms remain incompletely characterized. We systematically reviewed the evidence and synthesized contributing mech…

Microsurgical treatment of lower extremity lymphedema: An umbrella systematic review supporting the American Venous Forum and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society clinical practice guidelines on management of lymphedema.

Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders · 2026 · PMID 42208734

BACKGROUND: Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) are established microsurgical options for chronic lymphedema. This umbrella systematic review synthesizes evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to define indications for lymphatic microsurgery and inform forthcoming practice guidelines of the American Venous Forum and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society. METHODS: A systematic search of multiple electronic databases identified English-language systematic reviews a…

Clinical characteristics, management and outcomes in immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced central nervous system demyelinating disease.

Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2026 · PMID 42625088

BACKGROUND: The expanding clinical use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to increased recognition of neurological immune-related adverse events, among which central nervous system demyelinating disease (ICI-CDD) represents a rare but clinically severe complication. Current evidence remains largely confined to case reports and small case series, highlighting the need for a comprehensive characterization of this condition. METHODS: A systematic review and pooled analysis of published case reports and cas…

Reshaping the Battlefield: Reprogramming the Melanoma Tumour Microenvironment (TME) by Anti-CTLA-4, Anti-PD-1, and Anti-PD-L1 Monotherapy and Combination Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence.

Cells · 2026 · PMID 42439659

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), comprising anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), have transformed melanoma therapy, yet the tumour microenvironment (TME), the pivotal biological interface where therapeutic efficacy, resistance, and toxicity are determined, remains incompletely characterized. This dual systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD420261374242) followed PRISMA 2020 and included 58 p…

Spinal intramedullary melanocytoma: systematic review & clinical management considerations.

Neurosurgical review · 2026 · PMID 42684499

Spinal intramedullary melanocytoma (SIM) is an exceptionally rare benign melanocytic tumor of the central nervous system, with only a limited number of cases reported to date. Diagnosis is frequently delayed and relies on histopathological confirmation to differentiate SIM from other melanocytic lesions, including malignant melanoma. Owing to the rarity of this entity, its natural history, optimal management, and follow-up strategies remain insufficiently defined. We aimed to systematically synthesize the available…

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS): diagnosis with brain metastasis (BM) - A systematic review.

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia · 2026 · PMID 42475791

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases (BM) are the most common intracranial tumors in adults, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become a mainstay of management. However, several diagnostic challenges persist in the SRS pathway, particularly the differentiation of radiation necrosis (RN) from true tumor progression, which conventional MRI and even advanced imaging techniques often cannot reliably resolve. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer the potential to address these diagnostic limitations. This s…

Relevance of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in oral mucosal melanoma: a systematic review.

International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery · 2026 · PMID 42025485

Oral mucosal melanoma (OMM) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with a generally poor prognosis. Reliable prognostic markers for OMM are scarce, complicating disease management and patient counselling. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have shown prognostic value in other cancers, but their potential as a biomarker in OMM is not yet well defined. Hence, a systematic literature review, following the PRISMA guidelines, was conducted. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for studies reporting on TILs in …

What is the incidence and clinical significance of dry eye disease in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors? A systematic review and meta-analysis of ocular immune-related adverse events.

Acta ophthalmologica · 2026 · PMID 41800487

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer therapy but may cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including dry eye disease (DED). This study aimed to quantify the incidence of ICI-associated DED and to evaluate factors contributing to variability across studies. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered in the International Prospective Register o…

Profiling immune check point inhibitors - Induced arthritis: A systematic review and pooled analyses of cohort studies.

Journal of autoimmunity · 2026 · PMID 42702183

BACKGROUND: The growing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the oncology field along with the potential development of the so-called immune-related adverse events (irAEs) has introduced new diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for rheumatologists. Rheumatic irAEs (Rh-irAEs), particularly those involving the musculoskeletal system, are relatively common and sometimes underdiagnosed, with an estimated prevalence of up to 7% of ICIs treated patients. In this context, we conducted a systematic review and poo…

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS): diagnosis with brain metastasis (BM) - A systematic review.

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia · 2026 · PMID 42475791

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases (BM) are the most common intracranial tumors in adults, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become a mainstay of management. However, several diagnostic challenges persist in the SRS pathway, particularly the differentiation of radiation necrosis (RN) from true tumor progression, which conventional MRI and even advanced imaging techniques often cannot reliably resolve. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer the potential to address these diagnostic limitations. This s…

GWAS meta-analysis provides new insights into uveal melanoma risk.

British journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42303830

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to identify germline genetic variants that predispose to uveal melanoma (UM) using data from nine studies involving 5839 individuals with UM (3853 novel) and 349,863 healthy controls. METHODS: Five novel UM genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed and included for meta-analysis with four previously published UM GWAS. A fixed-effects inverse-variance weighted (IVW) meta-analysis was performed by combining data from these nine UM case-control cohorts. A follow-up tr…

Systematic Review of Health Insurance and Survival Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients.

Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology · 2026 · PMID 41649004

Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among female adolescents and young adults (AYAs) and the second leading cause after heart disease among males in the United States. Despite recent improvements in survival outcomes, AYAs continue to experience poorer cancer survival rates compared with pediatric and older adult populations. Health care access and quality are substantially influenced by insurance coverage, and AYAs represent the age group with the highest proportion of uninsured individuals. The o…

Agonistic anti-CD40 antibodies in patients with solid tumors: a systematic review and evidence map of clinical safety, with exploratory proportional synthesis.

Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · PMID 42723988

BACKGROUND: Agonistic anti-CD40 antibodies and related CD40 agonist biologics are being developed across multiple solid tumors using diverse biologic formats, delivery routes, and combination regimens. Safety is central to their clinical development but remains difficult to interpret because high-grade adverse events in combination settings may reflect partner therapies, and safety outcomes are reported inconsistently. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and evidence map of the clinical safety of CD40 agonist…

Efficacy of current approaches to non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer and the potential impact of artificial intelligence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS · 2026 · PMID 42585787

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, particularly within Caucasian populations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively review the current literature on non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer and evaluate the current evidence to support the use of tools in addition to, or in replacement of clinician face-to-face assessment. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for publications in PubMed, Medline and Embase databases. Articles describing accuracy,…

COMBI-I: Long-Term Overall Survival With Spartalizumab Plus Dabrafenib and Trametinib in BRAF V600-Mutant Advanced Melanoma.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42585631

The COMBI-I trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02967692) evaluating spartalizumab plus dabrafenib and trametinib (sparta-DabTram, n = 267) versus placebo plus dabrafenib and trametinib (placebo-DabTram, n = 265) for BRAF V600-mutant unresectable or metastatic melanoma failed to reach its primary end point of progression-free survival at 24 months. This final analysis reports overall survival (OS) during at least 5 years of extended follow-up. At the end of the trial (August 21, 2024), the median duration of f…

Insurance, race, and socioeconomic disparities in systemic therapy receipt for melanoma in the United States: a systematic review.

Melanoma management · 2026 · PMID 41703897

BACKGROUND: Although evidence suggests disparities in melanoma treatment, no comprehensive summary exists on whether insurance type, race/ethnicity, or socioeconomic status consistently influence systemic therapy receipt. Understanding these associations may inform strategies to reduce inequities. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of United States (US) based studies assessing systemic therapy receipt by insurance, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. Searches of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were …

The Effect of Food and the Proton Pump Inhibitor Rabeprazole on Binimetinib Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Participants.

Clinical pharmacokinetics · 2026 · PMID 42507094

BACKGROUND: Binimetinib is a selective and potent MEK1/MEK2 inhibitor approved in combination with encorafenib for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Binimetinib is a basic amine with pH-dependent solubility in vitro, indicating that binimetinib may be susceptible to drug-drug interactions when coadministered with a proton pump inhibitor. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a low-fat meal and high-fat meal and, separately, of multiple doses of…

TREATMENT OF CHOROIDAL MELANOMA-ASSOCIATED EXUDATIVE RETINAL DETACHMENTS WITH A DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT BEFORE PROTON BEAM RADIATION.

Retinal cases & brief reports · 2026 · PMID 41592253

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of a dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) administered before proton radiation in patients with tumor-associated exudative retinal detachments. METHODS: This was an investigator-initiated pilot study. Patients diagnosed with choroidal melanomas ≤10 mm thick, detachments spanning >2 clock hours, and visual acuity of 20/100 or better were randomized 1:1 to receive the dexamethasone implant or no treatment before proton radiation. Patients, masked to treatment complete…

Cellular Neighborhoods Govern Antitumor T-cell Infiltration Following Anti-CTLA-4 in Melanoma with Primary Resistance to Anti-PD-1.

Cancer discovery · 2026 · PMID 42013417

UNLABELLED: In the phase II trial SWOG S1616 (NCT03033576), patients with advanced melanoma with primary resistance to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapies had improved outcomes with the combination of the anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibody ipilimumab with continued anti-PD-1 therapy with nivolumab, compared with ipilimumab alone. Baseline biopsies from patients responsive to combination therapy showed increased transcriptomic e…

Evaluating the potential of candidate surrogate endpoints for overall survival in treatment-naive metastatic melanoma treated with anti-PD-1-based regimens with or without anti-CTLA-4 therapy.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42697593

BACKGROUND: Using surrogates for overall survival (OS) may expedite the development of, and patient access to, novel treatments. We assessed potential surrogates for OS in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with nivolumab-containing regimens in the first-line treatment setting. METHODS: We used individual-patient data from 1865 patients enrolled in four randomized controlled trials studying single-agent nivolumab or combinations of nivolumab and ipilimumab against dacarbazine or immunotherapy. Using the two-…

Pragmatic randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of compression therapy for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention following excision of lower limb keratinocyte cancers in UK skin cancer surgery centres (HEALS2 trial): study protocol.

BMJ open · 2026 · PMID 42705663

INTRODUCTION: Keratinocyte cancers (KCs) are increasing in incidence in the UK, with over 234 000 cases annually, largely due to demographic changes and sun exposure. Skin cancers, including malignant melanoma and KCs, are projected to cost the NHS over £180 million annually and impose healthcare demands. Although KCs have high cure rates following surgical excision and primary closure, wounds healing by secondary intention (HBSI) particularly on the lower leg present clinical challenges. Compression therapy (CT) k…

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Sebaceous Carcinoma: A Systematic Review, Biomarker Analysis, and Clinical Recommendations.

Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery · 2026 · PMID 42627017

Nivolumab for Resected Stage III or IV Melanoma at 9 Years.

The New England journal of medicine · 2026 · PMID 41124198

BACKGROUND: In the CheckMate 238 trial, patients with resected stage IIIB-C or stage IV melanoma who were treated with nivolumab had longer recurrence-free survival than those who received ipilimumab. Data were needed on longer-term survival. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive an intravenous infusion of nivolumab (at a dose of 3 mg per kilogram of body weight every 2 weeks) or ipilimumab (at a dose of 10 mg per kilogram every 3 weeks for four doses, then every 12 weeks) for up to 1 yea…

A Coordinated Approach to Perioperative Rehabilitation to Enhance Outcomes in Melanoma: Protocol for the CARE-Melanoma Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

JMIR research protocols · 2026 · PMID 42628027

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation is beneficial for individuals with cancer across all phases of care, but access remains limited for many survivors, including individuals with melanoma. As new treatment strategies for melanoma are introduced, there is an opportunity to assess perioperative rehabilitation strategies for patients undergoing surgery during and after neoadjuvant treatment. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the protocol for a 2-armed pilot randomized controlled trial with the overall objective of determining th…

Comparison of intra-articular injectable polydactyly-derived chondrocyte sheet-minis with direct transplantation of intact polydactyly-derived chondrocyte sheets in a rat full-thickness cartilage defect model.

Regenerative therapy · 2026 · PMID 42403589

INTRODUCTION: Polydactyly-derived chondrocyte (PD) sheets are being developed as an allogeneic cell sheet therapy for cartilage defects associated with knee osteoarthritis. Although intact PD sheets can promote hyaline cartilage repair, transplantation requires invasive open procedures. Injectable fragments of PD sheets (PD sheet-minis) may reduce invasiveness. However, their in vivo repair capacity after intra-articular administration remains unclear. METHODS: PD cells were isolated from discarded cartilage tissue…

Novel therapies for refractory idiopathic inflammatory myopathy-associated interstitial lung disease.

Current opinion in rheumatology · 2026 · PMID 42712119

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases in which interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent extra-muscular manifestation and a major driver of morbidity and mortality. ILD occurs most commonly in antisynthetase syndrome and anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) dermatomyositis syndrome, the latter carrying a high risk of rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD). Although recent guidelines outline conventional immunosuppressive strategie…

Improving Risk Stratification for SLNB in Elderly Patients With Melanoma: The SENTINOLD Nomogram.

International journal of dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41966754

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is one of the strongest prognostic indicators to date for cutaneous melanoma. However, its indication in elderly patients is controversial due to lower prognostic benefits, comorbidities, and surgical risks. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a predictive model specifically tailored to patients aged ≥ 75 years with cutaneous melanoma, and to compare its performance with the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer…

Intratumoral Sotigalimab with Pembrolizumab Induces Rapid Activation of Antigen-Presenting Cells and Drives Antitumor Responses in Non-injected Tumors in Metastatic Melanoma: A Phase I/II Study.

Cancer discovery · 2026 · PMID 42013310

UNLABELLED: Immune checkpoint blockers (ICB) improve outcomes in metastatic melanoma (MM), but resistance limits benefit. This phase I/II (NCT02706353) study evaluated intratumoral sotigalimab (anti-CD40 agonist) with pembrolizumab in 32 patients with ICB-naïve MM. Primary endpoints were safety and objective response rate (ORR). Sotigalimab was well tolerated. At the recommended phase II dose, the ORR was 50%, and the disease control rate was 92%, with ORRs of 67% in injected and 50% in non-injected tumors. Multiom…

Serum AIM2 as a Prognostic Biomarker for Disease Severity and Delirium in Acute Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Brain and behavior · 2026 · PMID 42625139

OBJECTIVE: Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is implicated in inflammation, and delirium is a common complication following acute pancreatitis (AP). We investigated whether serum AIM2 levels are related to severity and delirium after AP. METHODS: This multicenter prospective cohort study included 349 patients with AP and 100 controls. According to a ratio of 7:3, patients were randomly assigned to study group (244 cases) and validation group (105 cases). Severity metrics included the acute physiologic and chronic health …

A mixed inflammatory peripheral signature defines clinical outcomes in a phase II trial combining pembrolizumab with paclitaxel and carboplatin in melanoma.

Oncoimmunology · 2026 · PMID 41732954

Checkpoint blockade of PD-1 with pembrolizumab provides long-term survival to a significant proportion of patients with metastatic melanoma. Pembrolizumab has been successfully used in combination with chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer to increase the response rate. This phase II trial combined pembrolizumab with carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) to assess its safety and efficacy, and to identify correlates of responses. Thirty patients without prior immunotherapy for unresectable/metastatic melanoma were treate…

Oral glucocorticoid treatment for checkpoint inhibitor-associated inflammatory arthritis does not affect cancer progression-free survival: a RADIOS Registry study.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases · 2026 · PMID 41966859

OBJECTIVES: Glucocorticoids are the first-line treatment for immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated inflammatory arthritis (ICI-IA). However, glucocorticoids may negatively impact cancer progression-free survival (PFS). We investigated the association between glucocorticoids and PFS among patients with cancer with ICI-IA. METHODS: Data from the prospective multicentre rheumatic adverse events due to Immunotherapy Observational Study registry were used. Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression models (tim…

Phenotypic and genotypic risk factors for uveal melanoma in a high ambient UV radiation environment.

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42725865

BACKGROUND: Most evidence regarding risk factors for uveal melanoma (UM) derives from case-control studies prone to recall bias, and its rarity has limited prospective research. To address these gaps, we applied a population-based case-control design incorporating polygenic risk scores and Mendelian randomization to explore genetic and phenotypic determinants of UM risk. METHODS: The study was conducted in Queensland, Australia. Incident UM cases diagnosed between 2011 and 2022 were recruited through specialist ocu…

Molecular Tumor Boards in Malignant Melanoma: Uncovering Challenges and Opportunities in a Bicenter Retrospective Analysis in Germany.

International journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42141746

Despite therapeutic advancements, approximately 50% of advanced melanoma patients succumb to metastatic disease. Molecular tumor boards (MTB) aim to identify targetable molecular alterations to guide individualized treatment strategies. Yet, real-world data on patient selection, referral timing, recommendation rates, implementation, and clinical impact remain limited. In this exploratory retrospective bicenter analysis, we evaluated 80 patients with advanced melanoma who presented at institutional MTBs of two compr…

The Effect of Food and the Proton Pump Inhibitor Rabeprazole on Binimetinib Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Participants.

Clinical pharmacokinetics · 2026 · PMID 42507094

BACKGROUND: Binimetinib is a selective and potent MEK1/MEK2 inhibitor approved in combination with encorafenib for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Binimetinib is a basic amine with pH-dependent solubility in vitro, indicating that binimetinib may be susceptible to drug-drug interactions when coadministered with a proton pump inhibitor. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a low-fat meal and high-fat meal and, separately, of multiple doses of…

Comparison of intra-articular injectable polydactyly-derived chondrocyte sheet-minis with direct transplantation of intact polydactyly-derived chondrocyte sheets in a rat full-thickness cartilage defect model.

Regenerative therapy · 2026 · PMID 42403589

INTRODUCTION: Polydactyly-derived chondrocyte (PD) sheets are being developed as an allogeneic cell sheet therapy for cartilage defects associated with knee osteoarthritis. Although intact PD sheets can promote hyaline cartilage repair, transplantation requires invasive open procedures. Injectable fragments of PD sheets (PD sheet-minis) may reduce invasiveness. However, their in vivo repair capacity after intra-articular administration remains unclear. METHODS: PD cells were isolated from discarded cartilage tissue…

T cell receptor repertoire dynamics and newly identified functional regulators of autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in advanced solid tumors.

Journal of translational medicine · 2026 · PMID 42618927

BACKGROUND: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy has demonstrated clinical potential in melanoma; however, its applicability across diverse solid tumors in Asian patients remains unclear. Identification of molecular targets to enhance the antitumor activity of TIL is urgently needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a phase I investigator-initiated trial, we evaluated the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of autologous TIL therapy in twelve patients with advanced melanoma, cervical, lung, or head and ne…

Biomarkers of mRNA vaccine efficacy derived from mechanistic modeling of tumor-immune interactions.

PLoS computational biology · 2025 · PMID 40504865

The success of mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases such as COVID-19 has opened new avenues for their application in oncology. In cancer immunotherapy, mRNA vaccines-typically encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) 100-200 nm in size-enable delivery of tumor-specific antigens to activate immune responses. Here, we investigated the efficacy of mRNA vaccines in cancer by modeling tumor-immune interactions and tumor microenvironment (TME) dynamics to identify predictive biomarkers. Using a mechanistic mathema…

GPNMB promotes double-membrane vesicle accumulation and facilitates structural protein transport during PEDV infection.

Virulence · 2026 · PMID 42678062

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes substantial economic losses in the swine industry globally. Host factors regulating the intracellular replication of PEDV, particularly early RNA synthesis and structural protein production, are not well understood, limiting antiviral strategies. We report that glycoprotein non‑metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) is a key host factor promoting PEDV infection. Initially identified as a PEDV S1-binding partner, GPNMB was confirmed to enhance infection via loss-and gain-…

Sex-based considerations in the choice for a TLR9 or TLR7/8 agonist to arm the sentinel lymph node in early-stage melanoma.

Oncoimmunology · 2026 · PMID 42093471

Intradermal delivery of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9 agonist agatolimod/CPG7909, prior to sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy was previously shown to induce locoregional and systemic immunity, reduce tumor-involved SLN rates, and improve recurrence-free survival in patients with early-stage melanoma. Remarkably, men exhibited superior dendritic cell (DC) maturation. Here, we report on further sex-based differences in the immune response after intradermal administration of CPG7909, which included higher CD80/CD83 exp…

DNA prime and peptide boost immunization elicits robust neoantigen-specific CD8 + T cell responses and therapeutic protection in mouse tumor models.

Oncoimmunology · 2026 · PMID 41521424

Therapeutic immunization against tumor neoantigens has the potential to induce potent and highly selective CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Consequently, immunization strategies that generate robust neoantigen-specific T-cell responses are needed. Here, we tested homologous and heterologous DNA- and peptide-based immunization strategies using a neoantigen model. We observed that priming with DNA followed by peptide boost immunization elicited the strongest CD8+ T-cell responses, which exhibited effector and…

Real-Time Monitoring of Tissue Oxygenation During Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure Using In Vivo EPR Oximetry.

Magnetic resonance in medicine · 2026 · PMID 42324649

PURPOSE: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy increases blood oxygen levels by exposing patients to 100% oxygen under elevated pressure and is used clinically for conditions such as decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, chronic wounds, and impaired tissue healing. However, real-time precise and quantitative measurement of tissue oxygen tension (pO2) under hyperbaric conditions remains technically very challenging. METHODS: We developed a specialized small-animal hyperbaric chamber compatible with in vivo el…

Cooperative IFN-γ and TLR9 signaling reprogram tumor-associated macrophages to enhance antitumor immunity in melanoma.

Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 2026 · PMID 42485794

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) often adopt immunosuppressive phenotypes that promote tumor progression and limit the efficacy of immunotherapy. Although Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) possess immunostimulatory properties, their antitumor efficacy as monotherapy remains limited, particularly in poorly immunogenic tumors. Here, we investigated whether coordinated activation of innate immune pathways could reprogram macrophages and enhance antitumor immunity in melanoma. Using genom…

Assessing the cytotoxic effects of group IX metal N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of iridium and rhodium on B16-F10 melanoma and non-cancerous RAW 264.7 cells.

Bioorganic chemistry · 2026 · PMID 42391810

The development of highly effective and selective anticancer agents remains a central challenge in oncological research. Herein, we report a systematic evaluation of the anticancer activity of a series of rhodium- and iridium-based NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes (complexes 1, 3, 5-7), including the novel complex 3, as well as two imidazole-containing complexes (2 and 4). Their cytotoxic profiles were investigated against B16-F10 melanoma cells and benchmarked against non-cancerous RAW 264.7 macrophage cells…

AKAP12 as a signal-compartmentalizing Hub across diseases: Context-dependent functions and translational potential.

Cellular signalling · 2026 · PMID 42571827

A-kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12; Gravin/SSeCKS) is a multidomain scaffold that coordinates spatially restricted signaling rather than acting as a single linear effector. By organizing protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), phosphodiesterases (PDEs), proto-oncogenic non-receptor tyrosine kinase (Src)-related modules, and cytoskeleton- or adhesion-associated proteins within local signaling microdomains, AKAP12 regulates kinase output, PDE-dependent cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) gradients, cytos…

A pilot single-case longitudinal multi-omics of canine oral melanoma characterizes endogenous mutation patterns and radiotherapy-associated responses.

Gene · 2026 · PMID 42342053

Canine oral melanoma is a highly aggressive tumor with limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its progression and response to radiation therapy (RT), we performed a longitudinal multi-omics analysis incorporating whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on tumor and blood samples from a single neutered male mixed-breed canine case. WGS of pre-treatment tumor tissue revealed a predominance of endogenous mutational processes, with frequent …

Intranodal injection of PD1 antibody enhances memory T cell responses to improve the efficacy of neoantigen vaccines.

Biochemical pharmacology · 2026 · PMID 42556479

Cold tumors are resistant to neoantigen vaccines (NeoVac) combined with systemic anti-PD1 (aPD1) due to unalleviated T-cell exhaustion in tumor. Here, we found the exhaustion of T cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes (TdLNs) contributed greatly to the exhaustion of T cells in tumor, which could not be improved by systemic aPD1. Therefore, we developed a novel strategy for cold tumors: NeoVac combined with intranodal aPD1 injection (NeoVac + aPD1-i.n). This approach effectively impedes T cell exhaustion in TdLNs and …

Detection of malignancies in mice using TXRF analysis and reaction-based optical fingerprinting of blood plasma.

Analytica chimica acta · 2026 · PMID 42508915

This study explores the potential of reaction-based optical fingerprinting and total X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) elemental analysis, both separately and in combination, as a rapid and inexpensive approach to preliminary cancer diagnostics. Plasma samples from BALB/c mice with transplanted mammary carcinoma (EMT-6) and BDF1 mice with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) or B16 melanoma were analyzed. The optical fingerprinting method relies on differences in the oxidation rate of a carbocyanine dye in the presence of blood plas…

Sequence-based analysis of healthy canine tissues and oral malignant melanoma identifies disease-associated small RNAs and candidate miRNAs.

Research in veterinary science · 2026 · PMID 42520671

Small RNA sequencing is a promising approach for exploring small RNA dynamics and discovering biomarkers in veterinary oncology. However, small RNA annotation in dogs remains limited and inconsistent across reference databases, which may hinder identification of biologically relevant molecules. Here, we applied a sequence-based analysis framework to characterize canine small RNAs using publicly available healthy beagle tissue datasets together with oral malignant melanoma (OMM) clinical samples from client-owned do…

SATB1 preserves CD4+ T-cell fidelity and establishes Treg function in antitumor immunity.

Life science alliance · 2026 · PMID 42448570

The genome organizer special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) is critical for the development of T lymphocyte subsets by regulating Foxp3 and Pdcd1 expression. However, its physiological role in mature peripheral T cells has remained obscured by the severe developmental defects caused by early-stage gene knockout models. Here, we used a Thpok-cre driver to specifically delete Satb1 after CD4 lineage commitment. We demonstrate that SATB1 is continuously required to suppress Foxp3 expression in conventional…

Unified inactivation-mineralization: An engineered bacterial platform for synergistic radio-immunotherapy.

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society · 2026 · PMID 42385856

Radiotherapy (RT) can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and stimulate antitumor immunity, but its efficacy is hindered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we develop an inactivated Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) vehicle by repurposing potassium permanganate (KMnO₄), a classic disinfectant, for the facile one-pot biomineralization and inactivation. This construct, PP-Mn-PAO1, serves as an integrated platform for concurrent radiosensitization and immune activation. The manganese oxide coat…

An engineered probiotic co-expressing dual melanoma epitopes for therapeutic cancer vaccination.

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society · 2026 · PMID 42331227

Therapeutic cancer vaccines face challenges in tumor targeting, adjuvant dependency, and inefficient antigen cross-presentation. We engineered a probiotic vaccine using Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 co-expressing MHC-I epitopes from melanoma antigens Pmel17 and TYRP2. The fusion protein, designed via AlphaFold3, incorporating an IgG Fc domain for stability and Listeriolysin O (LLO) for cytosolic delivery, with expression controlled by an L-arabinose-inducible promoter. The strain retained probiotic properties, was e…

Topical Resiquimod Elicits Systemic Protection and Improves Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Melanoma via Priming of CD8+ T Cells.

Cancer immunology research · 2026 · PMID 42275481

The Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist resiquimod shows promise for treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and actinic keratosis, yet its mechanism of action remains unclear. We demonstrated that topical resiquimod significantly inhibited melanoma growth across various genetic and syngeneic mouse models, prolonged survival, and reduced lymph node metastasis in vivo. Resiquimod suppressed B16 melanoma growth, with an effect superior to that of imiquimod. The therapeutic effect was CD8+ T cell-dependent, as evidenced b…

Integrated Genomic and Proteomic Analysis Reveals T-B Lymphocyte Signatures in the MYCN Driven "Immune Desert" of Specific Neuroblastoma Subtypes.

CNS neuroscience & therapeutics · 2026 · PMID 42677450

AIMS: This study aims to systematically dissect how MYCN amplification shapes the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in high-risk neuroblastoma, elucidating key mechanisms underlying immune evasion. METHODS: We performed an integrated multi-omics analysis of bulk RNA-seq (n = 721), single-cell RNA-seq (n = 9), proteomic data (n = 49) and spatial transcriptomics (Visium, with external validation in melanoma). Analyses included unsupervised clustering, cell-cell communication inference, transcriptional re…

Redox-active copper(II) complexes with mixed heterocyclic N-donor ligands as dual antimicrobial and anti-tumor agents.

European journal of medicinal chemistry · 2026 · PMID 42208367

A new series of complexes [Cu(N-N)2(dmtp)](ClO4)2 (N-N = 2,2'-bipyridine (Cu1)/ 1,10-phenanthroline (Cu2) and dmtp = 5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine) was developed as biologically active species. The compounds were characterized using elemental analyses, IR, UV-Vis-NIR, EPR spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both complexes crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P-1, with two moieties in the unit cell. Both compounds exhibited varying antimicrobial efficacy, …

Copper chelator suppresses melanoma via inhibiting cuproplasia.

European journal of medicinal chemistry · 2026 · PMID 42520734

Copper is essential for regulating the activity of critical proteins associated with tumor survival and metastasis. Elevated copper level can lead to cuproplasia, promoting the proliferation and growth of cancers. A copper chelator (CC) capable of inhibiting cuproplasia was designed to suppress the Cu-sensitive melanoma cells. CC sequestered cellular Cu ions through chelation, facilitated the generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, induced endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrion stresses, thus leading to pa…

Targeting MDA-9/syntenin-1 (SDCBP) as a strategy to eliminate head and neck squamous cell carcinoma stem cells.

Cancer letters · 2026 · PMID 42342022

Melanoma differentiation associated gene-9 (MDA-9), also known as Syntenin-1 or SDCBP, exhibits elevated expression in multiple cancers, promoting invasion, migration, and tumor cell survival. The TCGA database reveals high MDA-9 expression in late-stage HPV (-) HNSCC tissues, which associates with poor patient survival. Moreover, bioinformatics analyses support a potential role of MDA-9 in promoting cancer stemness in HNSCC tissues. We characterized the functional role of MDA-9 in HNSCC tumorigenesis, particularly…

Preclinical proof of concept for a personalized SNAP™-TIL (Specific Neo-Antigen Peptides-TIL) therapy platform.

Oncoimmunology · 2026 · PMID 42402813

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, which involves extracting, expanding, and reinfusing immune cells to target cancer cells, has shown promise in melanoma treatment, but requires optimization for broader efficacy. The success of TIL therapy depends on the recognition of tumor-associated antigens, but neoantigen-reactive T-cells are often rare and exhausted in less immunogenic malignancies. Isolating T cells enriched in neoantigen reactivity prior to in vitro expansion and reinfusion may improve the respon…

Early neutrophil infiltration promotes TRIMELVax-induced antitumor immunity by linking local inflammation to tumor control.

Oncoimmunology · 2026 · PMID 42345602

Enhancing innate-adaptive immune crosstalk is key for improving cancer vaccine efficacy. TRIMELVax is a heat shock-conditioned whole-tumor-cell vaccine combining xenogeneic melanoma cell lysate, syngeneic B16F10 melanoma cell lysate, and Concholepas concholepas hemocyanin. Although TRIMELVax elicits robust antitumor responses in preclinical models, the mechanisms underlying its efficacy remain poorly defined. We characterized the early immune events triggered by TRIMELVax in mice using RT-qPCR, high-dimensional flo…

A comprehensive review of deep learning applications in the segmentation and classification of skin cancer.

Biomedical physics & engineering express · 2026 · PMID 42214390

Skin cancer (SC) is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide. Both melanoma and non-melanoma types pose major challenges for early detection, accurate diagnosis, and proper treatment. Conventional diagnostic approaches, such as biopsy and visual examination, are often time-consuming, subjective, and prone to human error. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) have greatly improved the accuracy of SC diagnosis. This systematic review explores the applications of DL techniqu…

Impact of GM-CSF and Two-Site Vaccination on Clinical Outcomes after Multipeptide Vaccination for Melanoma: Long-term Analysis of a Randomized Phase II Trial.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 41849224

PURPOSE: We report the long-term clinical outcomes of a multicenter, randomized phase II trial (NCT00089193) that tested immunogenicity of a vaccine composed of 12 class I MHC-restricted melanoma peptides (12MP), with or without granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as an adjuvant and administered at one or two sites in patients with resected high-risk melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were randomized to one of four treatment arms: 12MP at one site (arm A), 12MP + GM-CSF at one site (…

Intismeran Autogene Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Alone in High-Risk Resected Melanoma: 5-Year Update of the Randomized Phase IIb KEYNOTE-942 Study.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42223134

Intismeran autogene (intismeran; formerly V940 or mRNA-4157) is an mRNA-based individualized neoantigen therapy. We report 5-year outcomes of intismeran plus pembrolizumab from the phase IIb KEYNOTE-942 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03897881). Eligible patients with resected stage IIIB to IV cutaneous melanoma were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive nine doses of intramuscular intismeran 1 mg once every 3 weeks plus 18 doses of intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg once every 3 weeks or 18 doses of intravenous …

Phenotypic and Functional Characteristics of CD8+ T Cells Predict Clinical Outcome Following TIL Therapy in a Randomized Phase III Trial in Advanced Melanoma.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 42149143

PURPOSE: Adoptive cell therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a highly personalized cancer immunotherapy. In the randomized phase III clinical trial [TIL-Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI)/National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT)], TIL therapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with ipilimumab in patients with unresectable stage IIIC and IV cutaneous melanoma. This study aimed to define the phenotypic and functional characteristics of the infused TIL associated wit…

Safety and efficacy of intratumoural anti-CTLA4 with intravenous anti-PD1.

Nature · 2026 · PMID 42056527

Intravenous administration of anti-CTLA4 with anti-PD1 provides durable tumour responses but causes severe treatment-related adverse events in patients with cancer1. Intratumoural administration at lower doses but high local concentrations could enhance antitumour efficacy while minimizing systemic exposure and toxicity. Here we report the randomized multicentre phase 1b NIVIPIT trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02857569 ), which enrolled 61 patients with untreated metastatic melanoma, randomly assigned 2:1 to receive …

Ipilimumab alone or in combination with nivolumab in patients with advanced melanoma who have progressed or relapsed on PD-1 blockade: clinical outcomes and translational biomarker analyses.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2022 · PMID 35074903

BACKGROUND: There are no validated biomarkers that can aid clinicians in selecting who would best benefit from anticytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 monotherapy versus combination checkpoint blockade in patients with advanced melanoma who have progressive disease after programmed death 1 (PD-1) blockade. METHODS: We conducted a randomized multicenter phase II trial in patients with advanced melanoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1 mg/kg of nivolumab plus 3 mg/kg of ipilimumab or 3 mg/…

Cellular Neighborhoods Govern Antitumor T-cell Infiltration Following Anti-CTLA-4 in Melanoma with Primary Resistance to Anti-PD-1.

Cancer discovery · 2026 · PMID 42013417

UNLABELLED: In the phase II trial SWOG S1616 (NCT03033576), patients with advanced melanoma with primary resistance to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapies had improved outcomes with the combination of the anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibody ipilimumab with continued anti-PD-1 therapy with nivolumab, compared with ipilimumab alone. Baseline biopsies from patients responsive to combination therapy showed increased transcriptomic e…

MONETTE: A Randomized Phase II Study of Ceralasertib plus Durvalumab or Ceralasertib Monotherapy in Patients with Advanced Melanoma Resistant to PD-(L)1 Inhibition.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 42012456

PURPOSE: Data suggest that ceralasertib, a potent and selective oral inhibitor of the ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) DNA damage response kinase, may overcome resistance to prior immunotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this phase II study, patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma of cutaneous, acral, or mucosal subtype and confirmed progression during anti-PD-(L)1 therapy with or without anti-CTLA-4 were randomized 2:1 to ceralasertib 240 mg twice daily on days 1 to 7 and then durvalumab 1,500…

Accuracy of Index Lymph Node Pathology in Predicting Overall Response to Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Clinical Stage III Melanoma: Results From the Prospective NeoACTIVATE Arm C (NCT03554083) Substudy.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42218345

BACKGROUND: For patients with clinical stage III melanoma, a potentially surgically curable disease, neoadjuvant immunotherapy improves event-free survival. Substantial pathologic complete response (pCR) rates in the affected nodal basin have raised interest in response-directed care including de-escalation of the extent of operation and adjuvant therapies. This study prospectively assessed the fidelity of index lymph node (ILN) pathology in predicting pathologic response across the entire nodal basin. METHODS: The…

Intratumoral Sotigalimab with Pembrolizumab Induces Rapid Activation of Antigen-Presenting Cells and Drives Antitumor Responses in Non-injected Tumors in Metastatic Melanoma: A Phase I/II Study.

Cancer discovery · 2026 · PMID 42013310

UNLABELLED: Immune checkpoint blockers (ICB) improve outcomes in metastatic melanoma (MM), but resistance limits benefit. This phase I/II (NCT02706353) study evaluated intratumoral sotigalimab (anti-CD40 agonist) with pembrolizumab in 32 patients with ICB-naïve MM. Primary endpoints were safety and objective response rate (ORR). Sotigalimab was well tolerated. At the recommended phase II dose, the ORR was 50%, and the disease control rate was 92%, with ORRs of 67% in injected and 50% in non-injected tumors. Multiom…

Safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation in solid cancers resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors: results of the MITRIC trial.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42476727

BACKGROUND: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown promise in overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in early-phase cancer trials. We investigated the safety, feasibility and efficacy of FMT from ICI responders to patients with advanced cancers progressing on ICIs. METHODS: This was a single-arm phase IIa basket trial (MITRIC; NCT05286294) including patients with ICI-refractory cancer. Long-term ICI responders were used as FMT donors. Patients received FMTs in combination with ICIs; …

A mixed inflammatory peripheral signature defines clinical outcomes in a phase II trial combining pembrolizumab with paclitaxel and carboplatin in melanoma.

Oncoimmunology · 2026 · PMID 41732954

Checkpoint blockade of PD-1 with pembrolizumab provides long-term survival to a significant proportion of patients with metastatic melanoma. Pembrolizumab has been successfully used in combination with chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer to increase the response rate. This phase II trial combined pembrolizumab with carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) to assess its safety and efficacy, and to identify correlates of responses. Thirty patients without prior immunotherapy for unresectable/metastatic melanoma were treate…

High dose interleukin-2 in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 to overcome immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance in metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma.

Melanoma research · 2026 · PMID 42070986

To assess the combination of high dose interleukin 2 (HD IL2) and nivolumab in patients with checkpoint inhibitor-refractory melanoma or renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we performed a single-arm, Simon two-stage phase II trial for patients with unresectable stage III or IV melanoma or any histology RCC. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR); secondary endpoints were adverse events and progression-free survival (PFS), defined as time to radiographic or clinical progression, whichever occurred first. Five …

Vobramitamab duocarmazine, an anti-B7-H3 antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with advanced solid tumors: Final results of a phase 1 cohort expansion.

Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42487497

BACKGROUND: Vobramitamab duocarmazine is an investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3) with a cytotoxic duocarmycin-based DNA-alkylating payload. This study evaluated its safety and antitumor activity in advanced solid tumors. METHODS: In this phase 1/2 trial (CP-MGC-018-01/NCT03729596), vobramitamab duocarmazine was evaluated at 0.5-4.0 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks. The multicohort tumor-expansion phase focused on metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), lung,…

First-in-human study of lomvastomig, a PD-1-TIM-3 bispecific antibody, in patients with advanced and/or metastatic solid tumors.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42320980

BACKGROUND: This first-in-human clinical study explored lomvastomig, an immunoglobulin G1-based Fc-silenced bispecific antibody that simultaneously blocks the immune checkpoint receptors programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3. METHODS: Lomvastomig was characterized in cell cultures and preclinically in cancer mouse models. The phase 1, open-label, multicenter clinical study of lomvastomig included a dose-escalation part in patients with advanced and/or metastatic …

Immune-cytokine signature predicts survival in patients with advanced melanoma treated with oncolytic adenovirus TILT-123 and chemotherapy and IL-2-free adoptive TIL therapy.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42624531

BACKGROUND: Metastatic melanoma resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors remains difficult to treat, and while adoptive tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy has shown durable responses, its reliance on lymphodepleting chemotherapy and high-dose interleukin (IL)-2 causes toxicity that may limit patient eligibility. The dual-cytokine-armed oncolytic adenovirus igrelimogene litadenorepvec (TILT-123) was administered with TILs in the TUNINTIL trial (trial registration: NCT04217473) in patients with metastatic m…

Lipid Nanoparticle-Encapsulated mRNA-2752 Encoding Human OX40L, IL-23, and IL-36γ plus Durvalumab Induces an Immunostimulatory Effect within the Tumor Microenvironment in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 42149124

PURPOSE: Messenger RNA (mRNA)-2752, a lipid nanoparticle‒encapsulated, mRNA-based therapeutic encoding OX40L, interleukin 36γ (IL-36γ), and IL-23, has demonstrated modulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and antitumor efficacy in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) in CPI-resistant models. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this phase I study (NCT03739931) of intratumoral mRNA-2752 monotherapy (arm A) or mRNA-2752 plus durvalumab (arm B) in advanced solid tumors, the primary objectives were safety, tol…

Concordance of pathologic response assessment between local and central review in melanoma: a post hoc analysis of KEYMAKER-U02 substudy 02C.

ESMO open · 2026 · PMID 42190314

BACKGROUND: Substudy 02C of the phase I-II KEYMAKER-U02 study was designed to evaluate neoadjuvant pembrolizumab as monotherapy and in combination with investigational agents, followed by surgery and adjuvant pembrolizumab in participants with resectable stage IIIB-D melanoma. Here, we report a post hoc analysis of concordance of pathologic response assessment between local and central review and among central reviewers in the KEYMAKER-U02 substudy 02C. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants received neoadjuvant pembro…

A First-in-Human Phase I Clinical Trial Evaluating Clinical Activity and Proof of Mechanism of Tobemstomig, a PD-1-LAG-3 Bispecific Antibody, in Patients with CPI-Experienced Melanoma.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 41945490

PURPOSE: The immunoglobulin G1-based bispecific antibody tobemstomig (RO7247669) simultaneously targets and blocks programmed cell death protein 1 and lymphocyte activation gene-3 expressed on activated T cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This first-in-human, open-label, phase I clinical trial of tobemstomig included a dose-escalation part in patients with advanced and/or metastatic solid tumors and an expansion part with three tumor-specific cohorts, enrolling checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-experienced patients with melano…

The Phase Ib IMPACT Trial of Intramuscular Personalized Neoantigen Synthetic Long Peptide Vaccines in Patients with Advanced Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 42095629

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of intramuscularly delivered personalized neoantigen synthetic long peptide (SLP) vaccines in patients with advanced solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this phase I trial, 12 patients with advanced melanoma (n = 9) or renal cell carcinoma (n = 3) who lacked access to further reimbursed standard therapies at enrollment received intramuscular neoantigen SLP vaccines with Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic acid stabilized with polylysine and carboxymethylcellulose (poly-I…

A phase I dose escalation of FLASH radiotherapy in patients with cutaneous metastases from melanoma: The IMPulse trial.

Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology · 2026 · PMID 41628698

INTRODUCTION: The observation in preclinical studies that FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) can spare normal tissues while maintaining its anti-tumoral effect provided the rational for its clinical translation. In this context, this clinical trial presents the first-in-human dose-escalation trial of FLASH-RT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This phase I clinical trial enrolled patients presenting progressive melanoma with cutaneous metastases refractory to systemic treatment. A 3 + 3 dose-escalation design was used to determine…

Phase I trial of a heat-conditioned tumor lysate vaccine (TRIMELVax) in anti-PD-1 refractory melanoma: safety and immunological aspects (NCT06556004).

British journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42062531

BACKGROUND: TRIMELVax is a cancer vaccine prototype derived from heat-conditioned melanoma cell lysates combined with a natural adjuvant. Preclinical studies demonstrated robust antitumor immune responses and tumor regression. We conducted a Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and preliminary efficacy of TRIMELVax in patients with unresectable stage IV melanoma who had progressed after first-line anti-PD-1 therapy. METHODS: Eligible patients had stage IV melanoma with docume…

T cell receptor repertoire dynamics and newly identified functional regulators of autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in advanced solid tumors.

Journal of translational medicine · 2026 · PMID 42618927

BACKGROUND: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy has demonstrated clinical potential in melanoma; however, its applicability across diverse solid tumors in Asian patients remains unclear. Identification of molecular targets to enhance the antitumor activity of TIL is urgently needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a phase I investigator-initiated trial, we evaluated the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of autologous TIL therapy in twelve patients with advanced melanoma, cervical, lung, or head and ne…

Clinical impact and therapeutic potential of tertiary lymphoid structures in melanoma.

Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · PMID 42609770

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are ectopic lymphoid aggregates that arise in non-lymphoid tissues under conditions of chronic inflammation, including cancer. Structurally and functionally resembling secondary lymphoid organs, TLS consist of organized T-cell zones, B-cell follicles, dendritic cells, high endothelial venules, and specialized stromal cells, enabling local antigen presentation and adaptive immune activation. In melanoma, the prototypical immunogenic tumor, the presence of TLS within the tumor micro…

GPNMB regulates EGFR mitochondrial translocation via HK2, influencing microglial respiratory chain and metabolic defects to promote polarization and stroke progression.

Cell biology and toxicology · 2026 · PMID 42342944

BACKGROUND: One of the main reasons of disability and death is stroke in China and other countries, with growing evidence pointing to the role of microglial polarization in its pathogenesis. Epidermal growth factor receptor as well as Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein have been implicated in cellular signaling pathways relevant to microglial function. However, the mechanism by which GPNMB regulates EGFR signaling and its impact on mitochondrial translocation and polarization remains unclear. METHODS: We …

Time-of-Day Immunotherapy Administration and Outcomes in Advanced Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

JAMA network open · 2026 · PMID 42084869

IMPORTANCE: Circadian rhythms affect immunity, which could affect the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Whether the time of ICI administration is associated with clinical outcomes in advanced cancers remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between time of day of ICI administration and oncologic outcomes in patients with advanced solid tumors. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched in February 2026 to identify eligible studies. S…

Prospective Evidence on Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Melanoma Diagnostics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

JAMA dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41879756

IMPORTANCE: Dermoscopy is a standard of care for melanoma diagnostics, and artificial intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly investigated as decision-support tools. Prospective evidence is essential to assess their performance compared to dermatologists. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of dermatologists, AI systems, and dermatologists assisted by AI in prospective studies of melanoma detection, and to assess the readiness of AI for clinical use. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, a…

A global perspective on prognosis in acral and nonacral cutaneous melanoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA · 2026 · PMID 42487166

BACKGROUND: Acral melanoma (AM) is a rare cutaneous malignancy associated with poor survival. However, prognostic differences between AM and nonacral cutaneous melanoma (NAM) remain unclear. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare survival outcomes between patients with AM and those with NAM. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched for studies published between January 2000 and December 2025. Studies comparing the 5-year overall survival (OS) …

Genetics versus clinical risk scores for melanoma prediction.

The British journal of dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41968088

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous melanoma is a common cancer, for which risk stratification has been proposed to aid early detection. OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of a polygenic risk score (PRS) in predicting the risk of invasive cutaneous melanoma, alone and combined with clinical risk factors. METHODS: The PRS was derived from the most recent genome-wide association study meta-analysis of cutaneous melanoma, which included 28 849 patients with melanoma and 78 922 control participants from 20 studies from the UK, th…

Vegetarian and vegan diets and cancer incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

European journal of epidemiology · 2026 · PMID 41879966

Several studies have suggested that vegetarian and vegan vs. non-vegetarian diets are associated with lower cancer risk overall, however, results for specific cancer sites have been less consistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies on vegetarian and vegan diets and cancer incidence to clarify the associations across cancer sites. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for relevant studies up to 5 July 2025. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI…

Melanoma risk following fertility treatment in infertile women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Melanoma research · 2026 · PMID 41947515

Infertility treatments, particularly ovulation-inducing medications, have raised concerns regarding their potential association with melanoma development. Although theoretical mechanisms suggest that hormonal stimulation during these therapies could influence melanoma risk, current evidence remains inconclusive. This meta-analysis aims to determine whether women undergoing fertility treatments have a higher incidence of melanoma compared with untreated infertile women. We conducted a systematic review and meta-anal…

Cancer-related fatigue during treatment with neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42554880

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer therapy, yet cancer-related fatigue (CRF) remains a frequent but poorly characterized adverse effect. We evaluated CRF incidence during ICI treatment in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of prospective cohort studies and phase 2 or higher trials investigating FDA-approved ICIs in adjuvant or neoadjuvant settings, reporting fatigue as an adverse event or via patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Searches condu…

Grand SLAM study protocol: a prospective randomised multicentre study of shortened versus standard duration adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibition for stage IIB-C, III and IV cutaneous melanoma.

BMC cancer · 2026 · PMID 41896823

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant treatment with PD-1 inhibitors for 12 months has been the established standard of care for patients with resected stage IIB-IV cutaneous melanoma. In other solid tumours (e.g. breast and colorectal), a shorter duration of adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to be non-inferior with improved toxicity profile. More recently, neoadjuvant immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors for clinically detectable stage III and stage IV disease has been introduced. There is no clear biological rationa…

Use of circulating tumour DNA to prospectively guide a switch from targeted to immune therapy in BRAF mutant advanced melanoma: the randomised phase II CAcTUS trial.

Nature communications · 2026 · PMID 42168180

Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy (CPI) for BRAF mutant advanced melanoma first-line results in a better long-term survival compared to targeted therapy (TT), however TT induction may benefit poor prognosis groups. The parallel-arm, randomised phase II, multicentre, feasibility CAcTUS trial (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03808441) randomised 21 patients to receive standard of care investigators choice TT or CPI, switching to the alternative upon progression (n = 10), or commencing TT and switching to CPI upon an ≥80% redu…

Ipilimumab alone or in combination with nivolumab in patients with advanced melanoma who have progressed or relapsed on PD-1 blockade: clinical outcomes and translational biomarker analyses.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2022 · PMID 35074903

BACKGROUND: There are no validated biomarkers that can aid clinicians in selecting who would best benefit from anticytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 monotherapy versus combination checkpoint blockade in patients with advanced melanoma who have progressive disease after programmed death 1 (PD-1) blockade. METHODS: We conducted a randomized multicenter phase II trial in patients with advanced melanoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1 mg/kg of nivolumab plus 3 mg/kg of ipilimumab or 3 mg/…

Pragmatic randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of compression therapy for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention following excision of lower limb keratinocyte cancers in UK skin cancer surgery centres (HEALS2 trial): study protocol.

BMJ open · 2026 · PMID 42705663

INTRODUCTION: Keratinocyte cancers (KCs) are increasing in incidence in the UK, with over 234 000 cases annually, largely due to demographic changes and sun exposure. Skin cancers, including malignant melanoma and KCs, are projected to cost the NHS over £180 million annually and impose healthcare demands. Although KCs have high cure rates following surgical excision and primary closure, wounds healing by secondary intention (HBSI) particularly on the lower leg present clinical challenges. Compression therapy (CT) k…

Accuracy of Index Lymph Node Pathology in Predicting Overall Response to Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Clinical Stage III Melanoma: Results From the Prospective NeoACTIVATE Arm C (NCT03554083) Substudy.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42218345

BACKGROUND: For patients with clinical stage III melanoma, a potentially surgically curable disease, neoadjuvant immunotherapy improves event-free survival. Substantial pathologic complete response (pCR) rates in the affected nodal basin have raised interest in response-directed care including de-escalation of the extent of operation and adjuvant therapies. This study prospectively assessed the fidelity of index lymph node (ILN) pathology in predicting pathologic response across the entire nodal basin. METHODS: The…

Efficacy and safety of regorafenib in patients with advanced pretreated melanoma: results of the RegoMel phase II clinical trial.

ESMO open · 2026 · PMID 41962308

BACKGROUND: Most patients with advanced melanoma progress despite standard-of-care treatments. Regorafenib (REGO), an oral multikinase inhibitor with RAF-dimer activity, demonstrated clinical activity in melanoma in retrospective case series and preclinical efficacy in overcoming resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAF/MEKi). This study prospectively evaluated REGO in heavily pretreated advanced melanoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center, phase II clinical trial (RegoMel, NCT05370807) assessed the …

The integrated 31-gene expression profile test identifies low-risk patients with cutaneous melanoma who can forego the SLNB procedure: results from a prospective, multicenter trial.

Future oncology (London, England) · 2026 · PMID 41823171

AIMS: Prospectively confirm use of the integrated 31-gene expression profile test (i31-SLNB) in patients with cutaneous melanoma to predict sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) positivity and assess recurrence rates in those considered low risk by i31-SLNB who did not have an SLNB. METHODS: Patients with T1-T4 tumors being considered for SLNB who received 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) testing in the multi-center, prospective DECIDE study were included (n = 912). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate recurre…

Serum AIM2 as a Prognostic Biomarker for Disease Severity and Delirium in Acute Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Brain and behavior · 2026 · PMID 42625139

OBJECTIVE: Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is implicated in inflammation, and delirium is a common complication following acute pancreatitis (AP). We investigated whether serum AIM2 levels are related to severity and delirium after AP. METHODS: This multicenter prospective cohort study included 349 patients with AP and 100 controls. According to a ratio of 7:3, patients were randomly assigned to study group (244 cases) and validation group (105 cases). Severity metrics included the acute physiologic and chronic health …

Real-world effectiveness and safety with nivolumab plus ipilimumab or nivolumab alone in patients with or without melanoma brain metastasis: Results from the German noninterventional NICO study.

International journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 41833546

The prospective, German NICO study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02990611) evaluated real-world effectiveness and safety with nivolumab plus ipilimumab or nivolumab alone (any-line) in patients with advanced melanoma with/without melanoma brain metastasis (MBM). A total of 755 patients treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab (n = 486; median follow-up, 46.8 months) or nivolumab alone (n = 269; median follow-up, 38.7 months) were enrolled. Baseline characteristics differed between the treatment groups, with the …

Melanoma of unknown primary shows an oncogenic pattern and clinical course of sun-exposed melanoma.

The British journal of dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41719057

BACKGROUND: Melanoma of unknown primary (MUP) accounts for up to 10% of all cases of metastatic melanoma. The origin of MUP is unclear, and previous studies on the clinical course in comparison with cutaneous melanoma have reported varying results. OBJECTIVES: The study was conducted to assess the oncogenic pattern of MUP and to compare the clinical course with that of melanoma of known cutaneous primary (MKP). METHODS: Patients with MUP diagnosed between 1999 and 2022 were included in this cohort study from the pr…

De Novo Cancer in Liver Transplant Patients With HIV Infection: A Multicenter Nationwide Cohort Study.

Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · 2026 · PMID 41989878

BACKGROUND: Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been gradually accepted as solid organ transplant recipients, although there is still concern that the burden of immunosuppression and HIV infection could increase the risk of post-transplant cancer. METHODS: The risk of de novo cancer was evaluated in a prospective cohort of 272 HIV-positive and 816 matched HIV-negative liver transplant recipients in Spain (2002-2012). All tumors, except hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence and non-melanoma…

Associations of Outdoor Air Pollution With Incidence of Cancers Other Than Lung Cancer in a Large US Prospective Cohort.

International journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42071337

Outdoor air pollution, including particulate matter (PM), is a Group 1 carcinogen based on evidence for lung cancer; however, evidence for other cancers is limited. Further research on cancer incidence rather than mortality endpoints is needed as well as examinations in non-smokers. In the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort, annual predictions of particulate and gaseous pollutant concentrations were assigned to residential addresses. Extended Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence i…

Oral glucocorticoid treatment for checkpoint inhibitor-associated inflammatory arthritis does not affect cancer progression-free survival: a RADIOS Registry study.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases · 2026 · PMID 41966859

OBJECTIVES: Glucocorticoids are the first-line treatment for immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated inflammatory arthritis (ICI-IA). However, glucocorticoids may negatively impact cancer progression-free survival (PFS). We investigated the association between glucocorticoids and PFS among patients with cancer with ICI-IA. METHODS: Data from the prospective multicentre rheumatic adverse events due to Immunotherapy Observational Study registry were used. Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression models (tim…

Safety of immunotherapy after liver transplantation-A multicenter study of a prospective standardized clinical practice protocol.

Liver transplantation : official publication of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society · 2026 · PMID 41082711

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved cancer prognosis significantly, but their use has been avoided in liver transplant recipients (LTr) due to poorly characterized rejection risk. Data surrounding rejection risk are extremely suboptimal, with highly variable immunosuppression approaches and follow-up, and do not account for the learning curve in managing immunosuppression in the setting of ICI. A standardized institutional clinical practice protocol was developed in 2021 for immunosuppression manageme…

Response rate and long-term survival in patients with advanced melanoma: data from the prospective cohort study gem-1801.

Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico · 2026 · PMID 41313559

PURPOSE: Anti-PD-1-based immunotherapy and targeted therapies (TT) are the current standard of care for patients with advanced melanoma. However, some patients die in less than a year from diagnosis and others become long-survivors. An accurate description of systemic treatments and patients' characteristics of long-term survivors are needed to guide treatment decisions in clinical practice. METHODS: GEM-1801 is a multi-cohort prospective study from the Spanish Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group that includes patient…

The costs of diagnosing and treating skin cancer: Findings from the QSkin Study.

Australian and New Zealand journal of public health · 2026 · PMID 42379931

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the proportion of all healthcare expenses attributable to diagnosing and managing skin cancer in a large, population-based cohort, and identify characteristics of high users of skin cancer services. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 40,338 Queensland residents with linked healthcare data from the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS), Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection databases. We quantified the frequency of use and healthcare costs (o…

Impact of adjuvant anti-PD-1 immunotherapy on ovarian function in female patients with resectable melanoma: A prospective observational study.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2026 · PMID 41713079

INTRODUCTION: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer treatment and are increasingly used in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting for malignancies such as melanoma, which often affect younger adults. With improving survival, concerns about long-term safety, including potential effects on fertility, are growing. METHODS: We conducted a national, multicenter, prospective observational study of female patients < 45 years treated with adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy for resectable stage III-IV melanoma f…

In vivo cutaneous confocal microscopy for diagnosing the lentigo maligna spectrum: A multicentre prospective study and proposal of a lentigo maligna spectrum score.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41161600

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous confocal microscopy (CCM) differentiates lentigo maligna (LM) from lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) and helps characterize atypical intraepidermal melanocytic proliferation (AIMP), a potential LM precursor. However, CCM features across the LM spectrum have not been quantitatively analyzed or prospectively validated. OBJECTIVES: To validate CCM features for AIMP, LM, and LMM, assess the Lentigo Maligna Score (LM) score's ability to distinguish early from invasive stages, and evaluate a novel di…

Management of Dermatological Adverse Events Associated With MEK Inhibitors.

Actas dermo-sifiliograficas · 2026 · PMID 41999864

MEK inhibitors (MEKi) have transformed the treatment of tumors such as melanoma and plexiform neurofibroma in neurofibromatosis type 1, but they are frequently associated with dermatological adverse effects that may affect quality of life and treatment adherence. This expert consensus reviews the evidence and provides practical recommendations for the prevention and management of the most common cutaneous toxicities associated with MEKi, including acneiform rash, eczematous dermatitis, xerosis, paronychia, photosen…

Update on the management of leptomeningeal disease in solid organ malignancy: Systemic, intrathecal and novel therapies.

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia · 2026 · PMID 42140114

BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is an increasingly recognised late-stage complication of solid tumours (primarily melanoma, lung and breast cancers). It involves dissemination to the leptomeninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord and carries a poor prognosis ranging from 2-6 months. Recent advances in emerging therapies such as CNS-active targeted therapy, intrathecal agents, and early-phase immunotherapy necessitate an updated appraisal of prospective data. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Em…

Microsurgical treatment of lower extremity lymphedema: An umbrella systematic review supporting the American Venous Forum and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society clinical practice guidelines on management of lymphedema.

Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders · 2026 · PMID 42208734

BACKGROUND: Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) are established microsurgical options for chronic lymphedema. This umbrella systematic review synthesizes evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to define indications for lymphatic microsurgery and inform forthcoming practice guidelines of the American Venous Forum and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society. METHODS: A systematic search of multiple electronic databases identified English-language systematic reviews a…

What is the incidence and clinical significance of dry eye disease in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors? A systematic review and meta-analysis of ocular immune-related adverse events.

Acta ophthalmologica · 2026 · PMID 41800487

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer therapy but may cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including dry eye disease (DED). This study aimed to quantify the incidence of ICI-associated DED and to evaluate factors contributing to variability across studies. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered in the International Prospective Register o…

Cancer-related fatigue during treatment with neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026 · PMID 42554880

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer therapy, yet cancer-related fatigue (CRF) remains a frequent but poorly characterized adverse effect. We evaluated CRF incidence during ICI treatment in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of prospective cohort studies and phase 2 or higher trials investigating FDA-approved ICIs in adjuvant or neoadjuvant settings, reporting fatigue as an adverse event or via patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Searches condu…

Living in your own skin. The experience of the body in melanoma patients: a systematic literature review.

Italian journal of dermatology and venereology · 2026 · PMID 42023886

BACKGROUND: Melanoma can impair patients' physical, psychological, interpersonal, and economic balance. The effects of surgical interventions and the development of skin metastases might detrimentally impact on their body image, an embodied mental representation that shapes one's identity and interpersonal relationships. METHODS: This systematic review investigates the perception of body image in melanoma patients and the relationship between body image and other psychosocial variables. The literature search identi…

Sexual dysfunction among melanoma survivors: a scoping review of current evidence and clinical gaps.

BMC cancer · 2026 · PMID 42144583

Sexual health is a fundamental component of quality of life that is frequently compromised in cancer patients. In melanoma care, these issues remain under addressed despite increasing survivorship. This scoping review aimed to map the current literature on sexual health concerns in melanoma patients. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, five databases were searched (2010-2025). Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, including cross-sectional, qualitative, and systematic reviews. Sexual dysfunction affected up to 52% o…

Oncological Care During a Crisis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck Region in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026 · PMID 42505582

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted healthcare, prompting adaptations in oncological practices. This systematic review evaluates the pandemic's impact on the management of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) of the head and neck (H&N) region. METHODS: The review was reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies compared pre-pandemic and pandemic periods in adult patients treated for head and neck NMSC reporting outcomes related to histological distribution, time to treatment initiation,…

Dermatology-Related Quality of Life Measured with the Dermatology Life Quality Index in Basal Cell Carcinoma and Other Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: A Systematic Review and Exploratory Meta-Analysis.

Journal of clinical medicine · 2026 · PMID 42652755

Background/Objectives: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer and may negatively influence a patient's well-being despite low mortality. This systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis evaluated dermatology-related quality of life, as measured exclusively by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), in patients with BCC and other non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). Instruments other than the DLQI, including disease-specific measures of appearance, scarring, fear of recurrence and treatment sa…

Minimizing Early-Onset Lymphedema Following Groin Dissection in Metastatic Melanoma.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 41973292

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a common and burdensome complication after groin dissection for metastatic melanoma. This study evaluated whether a 6-month program of compression garments combined with simple lymphatic drainage (CG-SLD) reduces the rate of lymphedema presentation compared with standard care (SC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were randomized 1:1 to SC or CG-SLD for 6 months postoperatively. Lymphedema was assessed preoperatively and every 3 months for 24 months using interlimb volume difference and …

A phase II randomized study of proton therapy vs intensity-modulated radiation therapy in patients with unilateral head and neck cancer.

Journal of the National Cancer Institute · 2026 · PMID 42690689

Proton beam radiotherapy (PBRT) offers dosimetric advantages over intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), but prospective randomized data in the postoperative unilateral head and neck cancer setting remain limited. We conducted a multicenter, randomized phase II trial comparing PBRT and IMRT for patients with resected, well-lateralized head and neck cancers requiring unilateral adjuvant radiotherapy. Adults were randomized 1:1 to receive PBRT or IMRT to 60 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) in 30 fraction…

Stage-Adapted Cryotherapy-Based Management of Oral Mucosal Melanoma: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort.

Journal of clinical medicine · 2026 · PMID 42589996

Background/Objectives: Oral mucosal melanoma (OMM) is a malignancy in which durable local control must be balanced against preservation of speech, swallowing, mastication, and oral structure. Although cryotherapy is a repeatable and function-preserving local modality, its role within contemporary multidisciplinary care has not been clearly defined. This study describes a stage-adapted cryotherapy-based management framework for primary OMM and evaluates survival, local recurrence, and prognostic factors in a contemp…

Pragmatic randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of compression therapy for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention following excision of lower limb keratinocyte cancers in UK skin cancer surgery centres (HEALS2 trial): study protocol.

BMJ open · 2026 · PMID 42705663

INTRODUCTION: Keratinocyte cancers (KCs) are increasing in incidence in the UK, with over 234 000 cases annually, largely due to demographic changes and sun exposure. Skin cancers, including malignant melanoma and KCs, are projected to cost the NHS over £180 million annually and impose healthcare demands. Although KCs have high cure rates following surgical excision and primary closure, wounds healing by secondary intention (HBSI) particularly on the lower leg present clinical challenges. Compression therapy (CT) k…

Real-World Use of Adjuvant Nivolumab for Resected Stage III-IV Melanoma: 2-Year Analysis of AdjuMel.

Dermatology and therapy · 2026 · PMID 42667537

INTRODUCTION: Following the positive findings of the phase 3 CheckMate 238 trial, adjuvant nivolumab has become a standard therapy in patients with completely resected stage III-IV melanoma. The prospective, ongoing AdjuMel study is evaluating the real-world use, effectiveness, and safety of adjuvant nivolumab in patients with resected melanoma in France. Here we report 2-year results from the third interim analysis of AdjuMel. METHODS: This observational, prospective study is evaluating data from patients with res…

A Coordinated Approach to Perioperative Rehabilitation to Enhance Outcomes in Melanoma: Protocol for the CARE-Melanoma Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

JMIR research protocols · 2026 · PMID 42628027

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation is beneficial for individuals with cancer across all phases of care, but access remains limited for many survivors, including individuals with melanoma. As new treatment strategies for melanoma are introduced, there is an opportunity to assess perioperative rehabilitation strategies for patients undergoing surgery during and after neoadjuvant treatment. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the protocol for a 2-armed pilot randomized controlled trial with the overall objective of determining th…

Efficacy of PDD-guided tumor excision combined with photodynamic therapy in high-risk basal cell carcinoma.

Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy · 2026 · PMID 42000094

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common non-pigmented cutaneous malignancy. Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) can distinguish tumor tissues from normal tissues by visible fluorescence. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is widely used in the treatment of non-melanoma skin tumors. This study aims to illustrate the efficacy and safety of PDD-guided tumor excision combined with ALA-PDT in patients with BCC. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 19 patients diagnosed with high-risk BCC, who were g…

Living with melanoma: a study protocol for the design and participatory development of a survivorship care programme for people with metastatic melanoma.

Skin health and disease · 2026 · PMID 42540043

BACKGROUND: The growing number of people living with and beyond melanoma report unmet needs in survivorship care. To optimize melanoma survivorship care, it is critical to consider not only the perspectives of survivors of melanoma and their relatives, but also those of oncology healthcare professionals. The aim of this study is to develop an innovative survivorship care programme for people living with and beyond metastatic melanoma. METHODS: The study follows the UK Medical Research Council framework and the inte…

The Cancer Immunotherapy Thromboembolism Assessment: A Novel Score for Predicting Thromboembolic Events in Melanoma Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibition.

International journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42041031

Venous and arterial thromboembolic events (TEEs) represent a substantial threat for melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) and have a significant impact on quality of life, therapy outcome, and survival. Existing risk assessment models for predicting TEE risk have been developed for other patient collectives and show poor performance in melanoma patients treated with ICI. In this cohort analysis, 358 AJCC stage III/IV melanoma patients treated with ICI between April 2013 and July 2024 at …

Extracorporeal photopheresis versus systemic immunosuppression for treatment of immune-related adverse events: clinical outcomes from the prospective two-arm PRIA study.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42285609

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced immune-related adverse events (irAEs) can be steroid-refractory (sr) or steroid-dependent (sd), requiring second-line therapy. Evidence guiding optimal management of sr/sd-irAEs while preserving antitumor efficacy is scarce. This study compared extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) with systemic immunosuppressants (IS) for treatment of sr/sd-irAEs. METHODS: This prospective two-arm study included 46 patients (23 ECP, 23 IS) with 12 distinct types of irAEs across 6 tumor …

Hospitalization at home use analysis for immune checkpoint inhibitors administrations in France: Care pathways, costs and development opportunities.

Bulletin du cancer · 2026 · PMID 42722608

INTRODUCTION: The number of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has increased over time. Hospital-at-home (HAH) administration has been described in international studies as a model that may enhance patients' quality of life and relieve hospital capacity. The extent to which it has been adopted in France remains unknown. This study aimed to describe HAH use for ICI administration in France in 2021-2022, characterize care pathways, and assess reimbursed costs using national claims data. METHODS…

Assessing the Impact on Health and Productivity Outcomes of Anti-PD-(L)1 Agents to Treat Early-Stage Cancers in Italy.

Clinical drug investigation · 2026 · PMID 42250196

BACKGROUND: Anti-programmed cell death-(ligand) 1 (anti-PD-[L]1) agents are approved for advanced and early-stage cancers. While they may offer clinical and economic benefits in the neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant setting, their population-level impact in Italy has not been thoroughly evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate health and productivity outcomes of introducing anti‑PD‑(L)1 agents for neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy in early‑stage cancers in Italy (melanoma Stage IIB/C, melanoma Stage III, renal…

Association between emotional distress and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicentre, prospective observational study protocol.

BMJ open · 2026 · PMID 42486514

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, with immune checkpoint inhibitors transforming treatment paradigms despite modest response rates of approximately 30%. Emotional distress, encompassing depression and anxiety symptoms, affects 30-50% of cancer patients and may influence immunotherapy efficacy through immune system modulation. Recent studies in lung cancer, gastric cancer and melanoma demonstrate associations between pretreatment emotional distress and worse immuno…

Associations Between Two-Year Immune-Related Adverse Events and Psychological Distress and Subsequent Survival Outcomes Among ICI-Treated Survivors Diagnosed With Advanced Cancers in the US.

Psycho-oncology · 2026 · PMID 42175622

BACKGROUND: Immune-checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly used in advanced cancers and can be associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs). AIMS: This study examined the association between anxiety and depression, irAEs, and overall survival in a national cohort of ICI-treated cancer survivors. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used data from 8671 2-year survivors following ICI treatment with advanced melanoma, lung, colorectal, head and neck, and bladder cancers from a nationwide de-identifi…

Comparative Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of First-Line Immunotherapy for Advanced Melanoma Based on 10-Year Clinical Outcomes.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN · 2026 · PMID 42692071

BACKGROUND: Recently, the CheckMate 067, KEYNOTE-006, and RELATIVITY-047 trials demonstrated the long-term efficacy and safety of 5 first-line therapies for advanced melanoma, including nivolumab + relatlimab, with >10 years of follow-up. However, the long-term economic outcomes are still unclear. This study aimed to assess the comparative cost-effectiveness of these strategies from a US health care perspective using more than a decade of clinical trial data. METHODS: Based on the data from clinical trial reports, …

Biologic Therapy for Psoriasis and Risk of Malignancies in a Hispanic Population: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort.

Puerto Rico health sciences journal · 2026 · PMID 42377335

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with an increasing burden. Biologic agents are considered a key treatment modality in improving quality of life for psoriasis patients. However, the potential carcinogenic effect of these agents has become a concerning factor due to their immunomodulatory effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in the incidence of skin and systemic malignancies in biologic-naïve patients vs biologic-treated patients. METHODS: This retrospective …

Time-of-Day Immunotherapy Administration and Outcomes in Advanced Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

JAMA network open · 2026 · PMID 42084869

IMPORTANCE: Circadian rhythms affect immunity, which could affect the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Whether the time of ICI administration is associated with clinical outcomes in advanced cancers remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between time of day of ICI administration and oncologic outcomes in patients with advanced solid tumors. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched in February 2026 to identify eligible studies. S…

Time to subsequent therapy (TTST) as an endpoint in clinical studies: development of standardized documentation of subsequent therapy through systematic literature review, expert interviews, and Delphi survey.

Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2026 · PMID 42742636

BACKGROUND: The endpoint Time to Subsequent Therapy (TTST) is an intermediate endpoint used in research and regulatory assessments. TTST denotes initiation of subsequent therapy and is a clearly definable, clinically relevant event for healthcare professionals. However, it has not been systematically established to which extent TTST is subjectively meaningful to patients. The objective of this study was to define TTST as a patient-relevant intermediate endpoint. METHODS: The study examined five oncological indicati…

Immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapies in the treatment of spinal column tumors: A systematic review and Meta-analysis of efficacy, and safety.

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026 · PMID 40835773

PURPOSE: Spinal metastases affect up to 70% of systemic cancer patients, with overall survival averaging less than six months. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents have unsatisfactory results, leading to immunotherapy (IT) investigations. There is no clear consensus on the benefits and risks of IT for spinal tumors. This study assesses the current literature to determine IT safety and survival efficacy for tumors involving spinal column. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across …

Single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery vs. hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for resected brain metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

Neurosurgical review · 2026 · PMID 42700305

Postoperative stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is widely used after resection of limited brain metastases, but the optimal fractionation remains uncertain. Single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SF-SRS) is convenient and well established, whereas hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HF-SRT) may improve dose delivery and normal tissue tolerance in larger or more complex cavities. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared these two postoperative approaches. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched f…

Percutaneous hepatic perfusion versus best alternative care as treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma: A meta-analysis.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2026 · PMID 42330566

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the efficacy of percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) in metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) is largely derived from single-arm studies without comparators, complicating interpretation of treatment benefit, particularly for survival. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize available evidence on the efficacy and safety of PHP in patients with mUM and compare outcomes with best alternative care (BAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched from database ince…

Microsurgical treatment of lower extremity lymphedema: An umbrella systematic review supporting the American Venous Forum and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society clinical practice guidelines on management of lymphedema.

Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders · 2026 · PMID 42208734

BACKGROUND: Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) are established microsurgical options for chronic lymphedema. This umbrella systematic review synthesizes evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to define indications for lymphatic microsurgery and inform forthcoming practice guidelines of the American Venous Forum and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society. METHODS: A systematic search of multiple electronic databases identified English-language systematic reviews a…

Assessment of survival benefit from sentinel node biopsy for melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The Lancet. Oncology · 2026 · PMID 41796592

BACKGROUND: It is unproven whether sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for people with cutaneous melanoma improves survival. This study aimed to establish whether there is a reduction in the risk of death from melanoma after SNB. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis involved searches of Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov (up to Jan 8, 2025) using terms for melanoma, SNB, and survival. Studies were included if they reported survival in adults (ie, aged ≥18 years) with melanoma who underwen…

Systemic Glucocorticoid Use and Risk of Site-Specific Cancers: A Methodologic Systematic Review of Observational Studies.

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology · 2026 · PMID 41931525

Systemic glucocorticoids, widely prescribed for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, have long been suspected of increasing cancer risk through immunosuppressive and metabolic effects. Randomized trials are often unethical and difficult to conduct, leaving observational studies the best option to determine whether the use of systemic glucocorticoids affects cancer development. However, these studies face significant methodologic issues that may compromise the validity of their findings. We systematically reviewed …

Current status and trends of immune-related adverse events in lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a bibliometric analysis of the past decade (2016-2025).

Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · PMID 42311664

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in lung cancer treatment; however, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) remain an important safety-related research topic. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive bibliometric analyses specifically addressing irAEs in lung cancer. METHODS: This study utilized the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and PubMed databases to retrieve literature on irAEs associated with ICIs in lung cancer from 2016 to 2025. Among the 1, 792 eligible records from W…

What is the incidence and clinical significance of dry eye disease in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors? A systematic review and meta-analysis of ocular immune-related adverse events.

Acta ophthalmologica · 2026 · PMID 41800487

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer therapy but may cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including dry eye disease (DED). This study aimed to quantify the incidence of ICI-associated DED and to evaluate factors contributing to variability across studies. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered in the International Prospective Register o…

Safety of synthetic and biological DMARDs: a systematic literature review informing the 2025 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases · 2026 · PMID 41951459

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to perform a systematic literature review (SLR) concerning the safety of synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for the 2025 update of European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched for observational and randomised controlled trials with a primary endpoint of DMARD safety on the conventional synthetic (c…

Umbrella Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of PD-1 Inhibitors Combined with CTLA-4 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Melanoma.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2026 · PMID 42123452

The objective is to assess the effectiveness and safety of combining PD-1 inhibitors with CTLA-4 inhibitors for melanoma treatment, drawing on current meta-analysis findings and evaluating the supporting evidence. We used medical subject words and free text words (such as "PD-1 inhibitor", "CTLA-4 inhibitor", "melanoma") as search keywords to search the literature in six literature databases from the establishment of the database to 11 April 2025. Using the PICO (Participant, Intervention, Control, and Outcome) fra…

Impact of GM-CSF and Two-Site Vaccination on Clinical Outcomes after Multipeptide Vaccination for Melanoma: Long-term Analysis of a Randomized Phase II Trial.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 41849224

PURPOSE: We report the long-term clinical outcomes of a multicenter, randomized phase II trial (NCT00089193) that tested immunogenicity of a vaccine composed of 12 class I MHC-restricted melanoma peptides (12MP), with or without granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as an adjuvant and administered at one or two sites in patients with resected high-risk melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were randomized to one of four treatment arms: 12MP at one site (arm A), 12MP + GM-CSF at one site (…

Mind the Gap: Impact of New Labels on Public Perceptions and Calculated Risk of Adverse Outcomes after a Melanoma In Situ Diagnosis-A Secondary Analysis of an Online Randomized Experiment.

Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making · 2026 · PMID 42289825

BACKGROUND: Alternative diagnostic labels for melanoma in situ may better reflect its lower risk (15-y survival of 98%) compared with invasive melanoma (10-y survival ranging from 98% for American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IA to 19% for stage IV). DESIGN: Secondary analysis of an online randomized experiment in Australian adults without melanoma. Participants were randomized to a hypothetical diagnosis of "melanoma in situ (MIS)" (control), "low-risk melanocytic neoplasm," or "low-risk melanocytic neoplasm, i…

Exploratory Analysis of Biomarkers and Treatment Outcomes from the COLUMBUS Study in BRAF V600E/K-Mutant Advanced or Metastatic Melanoma.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 41537702

PURPOSE: Treatment with encorafenib ± binimetinib is associated with improved survival versus vemurafenib in patients with BRAF V600E/K-mutant advanced melanoma. We retrospectively analyzed genomic and transcriptomic data from the phase III COLUMBUS trial to identify molecular correlates of benefit with encorafenib ± binimetinib. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In COLUMBUS, patients with BRAF V600E/K-mutant locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic melanoma (n = 921) were randomized to receive encorafenib plus binimetinib…

primary analysis of the RANDOMIZED eortc-2139/columbus-ad trial: Adjuvant encorafenib and binimetinib versus placebo in high-risk stage II BRAF-V600E/K melanoma.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2026 · PMID 42501621

PURPOSE: Stage IIB/IIC melanoma has a high risk of recurrence after resection. Combined BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy showed benefit in resected high-risk stage III and advanced melanoma. The objective of this study was to investigate its role in stage IIB/IIC. METHODS: Adult patients with resected stage IIB/IIC cutaneous melanoma which had a BRAF V600E/K mutation were randomized 1:1 to receive encorafenib (enco) 450 mg QD + binimetinib (bini) 45 mg BID orally for one year or placebo. The study planned to randomize 81…

IO102-IO103 immune-modulatory cancer vaccine and pembrolizumab in melanoma.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42025759

BACKGROUND: IO102-IO103, an investigational, immune-modulatory cancer vaccine, targets both tumor cells and immune-suppressive cells within the tumor microenvironment through activation and expansion of T cells against indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1-positive and/or programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This open-label, phase III trial randomly assigned 407 patients with untreated advanced melanoma in a 1:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous IO102-IO103 (85 μg each) plus pembrolizumab 200…

Effects of daily multivitamin-multimineral supplementation on metabolomic profiles: 2-year findings from the COSMOS randomized clinical trial.

GeroScience · 2026 · PMID 41910928

Despite widespread use in the USA, little is known about the impact of multivitamin-multimineral (MVM) supplementation on metabolomic profiles and how this may translate to biological aging and long-term risk of age-related chronic diseases. The COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) is a 2 × 2 factorial, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial testing daily MVM (Centrum Silver®) in US older adults. In 399 participants with metabolomics profiles quantified using the Nighting…

COMBI-I: Long-Term Overall Survival With Spartalizumab Plus Dabrafenib and Trametinib in BRAF V600-Mutant Advanced Melanoma.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42585631

The COMBI-I trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02967692) evaluating spartalizumab plus dabrafenib and trametinib (sparta-DabTram, n = 267) versus placebo plus dabrafenib and trametinib (placebo-DabTram, n = 265) for BRAF V600-mutant unresectable or metastatic melanoma failed to reach its primary end point of progression-free survival at 24 months. This final analysis reports overall survival (OS) during at least 5 years of extended follow-up. At the end of the trial (August 21, 2024), the median duration of f…

Motivation-informed digital reminders were no more effective than standard reminders for trial task completion in a randomized Study Within A Trial (SWAT).

Journal of clinical epidemiology · 2026 · PMID 41933841

OBJECTIVES: Digital reminders are widely used in clinical trials, but their design is rarely evidence-based. We evaluated the effectiveness of two types of digital reminders for trial task completion. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This randomized Study Within A Trial (SWAT) was embedded in the MEL-SELF trial which evaluates patient-led vs. clinician-led melanoma surveillance. SWAT participants were randomized 1:1 to motivation-informed or standard digital reminders for two tasks: monthly health-resource diaries (all pa…

Characteristics of Participants Screened and Randomized to the Melanoma Self Surveillance Trial.

JAMA dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41811339

IMPORTANCE: The MEL-SELF randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluated patient-led surveillance as an alternative model of follow-up. The baseline characteristics of participants provide insights into current unmet clinical needs of this population. OBJECTIVE: To describe the baseline characteristics of people screened for and randomized to the MEL-SELF RCT, and those potentially eligible but not randomized. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Baseline data from the RCT's recruitment processes, from December 2021 to Jun…

A cost comparison of radiotherapy and topical imiquimod for lentigo maligna treatment: Considerations for clinical decision-making.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2026 · PMID 41421462

BACKGROUND: Lentigo maligna (LM) is an in situ melanoma occurring on sun-damaged skin. Radiotherapy or topical imiquimod are potential alternatives to surgery; a recent randomized trial showed no difference in treatment failure between those approaches (underpowered because of pandemic disruption). OBJECTIVE: To conduct an economic evaluation comparing radiotherapy versus topical imiquimod for treating LM. METHODS: Based on no difference in clinical outcomes, a cost analysis was performed alongside the RADICAL tria…

Intismeran Autogene Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Alone in High-Risk Resected Melanoma: 5-Year Update of the Randomized Phase IIb KEYNOTE-942 Study.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42223134

Intismeran autogene (intismeran; formerly V940 or mRNA-4157) is an mRNA-based individualized neoantigen therapy. We report 5-year outcomes of intismeran plus pembrolizumab from the phase IIb KEYNOTE-942 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03897881). Eligible patients with resected stage IIIB to IV cutaneous melanoma were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive nine doses of intramuscular intismeran 1 mg once every 3 weeks plus 18 doses of intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg once every 3 weeks or 18 doses of intravenous …

Minimizing Early-Onset Lymphedema Following Groin Dissection in Metastatic Melanoma.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2026 · PMID 41973292

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a common and burdensome complication after groin dissection for metastatic melanoma. This study evaluated whether a 6-month program of compression garments combined with simple lymphatic drainage (CG-SLD) reduces the rate of lymphedema presentation compared with standard care (SC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were randomized 1:1 to SC or CG-SLD for 6 months postoperatively. Lymphedema was assessed preoperatively and every 3 months for 24 months using interlimb volume difference and …

Phenotypic and Functional Characteristics of CD8+ T Cells Predict Clinical Outcome Following TIL Therapy in a Randomized Phase III Trial in Advanced Melanoma.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 42149143

PURPOSE: Adoptive cell therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a highly personalized cancer immunotherapy. In the randomized phase III clinical trial [TIL-Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI)/National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT)], TIL therapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with ipilimumab in patients with unresectable stage IIIC and IV cutaneous melanoma. This study aimed to define the phenotypic and functional characteristics of the infused TIL associated wit…

Profiling immune check point inhibitors - Induced arthritis: A systematic review and pooled analyses of cohort studies.

Journal of autoimmunity · 2026 · PMID 42702183

BACKGROUND: The growing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the oncology field along with the potential development of the so-called immune-related adverse events (irAEs) has introduced new diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for rheumatologists. Rheumatic irAEs (Rh-irAEs), particularly those involving the musculoskeletal system, are relatively common and sometimes underdiagnosed, with an estimated prevalence of up to 7% of ICIs treated patients. In this context, we conducted a systematic review and poo…

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS): diagnosis with brain metastasis (BM) - A systematic review.

Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia · 2026 · PMID 42475791

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases (BM) are the most common intracranial tumors in adults, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become a mainstay of management. However, several diagnostic challenges persist in the SRS pathway, particularly the differentiation of radiation necrosis (RN) from true tumor progression, which conventional MRI and even advanced imaging techniques often cannot reliably resolve. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer the potential to address these diagnostic limitations. This s…

Agonistic anti-CD40 antibodies in patients with solid tumors: a systematic review and evidence map of clinical safety, with exploratory proportional synthesis.

Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · PMID 42723988

BACKGROUND: Agonistic anti-CD40 antibodies and related CD40 agonist biologics are being developed across multiple solid tumors using diverse biologic formats, delivery routes, and combination regimens. Safety is central to their clinical development but remains difficult to interpret because high-grade adverse events in combination settings may reflect partner therapies, and safety outcomes are reported inconsistently. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and evidence map of the clinical safety of CD40 agonist…

primary analysis of the RANDOMIZED eortc-2139/columbus-ad trial: Adjuvant encorafenib and binimetinib versus placebo in high-risk stage II BRAF-V600E/K melanoma.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2026 · PMID 42501621

PURPOSE: Stage IIB/IIC melanoma has a high risk of recurrence after resection. Combined BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy showed benefit in resected high-risk stage III and advanced melanoma. The objective of this study was to investigate its role in stage IIB/IIC. METHODS: Adult patients with resected stage IIB/IIC cutaneous melanoma which had a BRAF V600E/K mutation were randomized 1:1 to receive encorafenib (enco) 450 mg QD + binimetinib (bini) 45 mg BID orally for one year or placebo. The study planned to randomize 81…

COMBI-I: Long-Term Overall Survival With Spartalizumab Plus Dabrafenib and Trametinib in BRAF V600-Mutant Advanced Melanoma.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42585631

The COMBI-I trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02967692) evaluating spartalizumab plus dabrafenib and trametinib (sparta-DabTram, n = 267) versus placebo plus dabrafenib and trametinib (placebo-DabTram, n = 265) for BRAF V600-mutant unresectable or metastatic melanoma failed to reach its primary end point of progression-free survival at 24 months. This final analysis reports overall survival (OS) during at least 5 years of extended follow-up. At the end of the trial (August 21, 2024), the median duration of f…

Intismeran Autogene Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Alone in High-Risk Resected Melanoma: 5-Year Update of the Randomized Phase IIb KEYNOTE-942 Study.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42223134

Intismeran autogene (intismeran; formerly V940 or mRNA-4157) is an mRNA-based individualized neoantigen therapy. We report 5-year outcomes of intismeran plus pembrolizumab from the phase IIb KEYNOTE-942 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03897881). Eligible patients with resected stage IIIB to IV cutaneous melanoma were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive nine doses of intramuscular intismeran 1 mg once every 3 weeks plus 18 doses of intravenous pembrolizumab 200 mg once every 3 weeks or 18 doses of intravenous …

The Effect of Food and the Proton Pump Inhibitor Rabeprazole on Binimetinib Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Participants.

Clinical pharmacokinetics · 2026 · PMID 42507094

BACKGROUND: Binimetinib is a selective and potent MEK1/MEK2 inhibitor approved in combination with encorafenib for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Binimetinib is a basic amine with pH-dependent solubility in vitro, indicating that binimetinib may be susceptible to drug-drug interactions when coadministered with a proton pump inhibitor. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a low-fat meal and high-fat meal and, separately, of multiple doses of…

Ipilimumab alone or in combination with nivolumab in patients with advanced melanoma who have progressed or relapsed on PD-1 blockade: clinical outcomes and translational biomarker analyses.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2022 · PMID 35074903

BACKGROUND: There are no validated biomarkers that can aid clinicians in selecting who would best benefit from anticytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 monotherapy versus combination checkpoint blockade in patients with advanced melanoma who have progressive disease after programmed death 1 (PD-1) blockade. METHODS: We conducted a randomized multicenter phase II trial in patients with advanced melanoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1 mg/kg of nivolumab plus 3 mg/kg of ipilimumab or 3 mg/…

TREATMENT OF CHOROIDAL MELANOMA-ASSOCIATED EXUDATIVE RETINAL DETACHMENTS WITH A DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT BEFORE PROTON BEAM RADIATION.

Retinal cases & brief reports · 2026 · PMID 41592253

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of a dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) administered before proton radiation in patients with tumor-associated exudative retinal detachments. METHODS: This was an investigator-initiated pilot study. Patients diagnosed with choroidal melanomas ≤10 mm thick, detachments spanning >2 clock hours, and visual acuity of 20/100 or better were randomized 1:1 to receive the dexamethasone implant or no treatment before proton radiation. Patients, masked to treatment complete…

A phase II randomized study of proton therapy vs intensity-modulated radiation therapy in patients with unilateral head and neck cancer.

Journal of the National Cancer Institute · 2026 · PMID 42690689

Proton beam radiotherapy (PBRT) offers dosimetric advantages over intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), but prospective randomized data in the postoperative unilateral head and neck cancer setting remain limited. We conducted a multicenter, randomized phase II trial comparing PBRT and IMRT for patients with resected, well-lateralized head and neck cancers requiring unilateral adjuvant radiotherapy. Adults were randomized 1:1 to receive PBRT or IMRT to 60 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) in 30 fraction…

Pragmatic randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of compression therapy for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention following excision of lower limb keratinocyte cancers in UK skin cancer surgery centres (HEALS2 trial): study protocol.

BMJ open · 2026 · PMID 42705663

INTRODUCTION: Keratinocyte cancers (KCs) are increasing in incidence in the UK, with over 234 000 cases annually, largely due to demographic changes and sun exposure. Skin cancers, including malignant melanoma and KCs, are projected to cost the NHS over £180 million annually and impose healthcare demands. Although KCs have high cure rates following surgical excision and primary closure, wounds healing by secondary intention (HBSI) particularly on the lower leg present clinical challenges. Compression therapy (CT) k…

Nivolumab for Resected Stage III or IV Melanoma at 9 Years.

The New England journal of medicine · 2026 · PMID 41124198

BACKGROUND: In the CheckMate 238 trial, patients with resected stage IIIB-C or stage IV melanoma who were treated with nivolumab had longer recurrence-free survival than those who received ipilimumab. Data were needed on longer-term survival. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive an intravenous infusion of nivolumab (at a dose of 3 mg per kilogram of body weight every 2 weeks) or ipilimumab (at a dose of 10 mg per kilogram every 3 weeks for four doses, then every 12 weeks) for up to 1 yea…

Novel therapies for refractory idiopathic inflammatory myopathy-associated interstitial lung disease.

Current opinion in rheumatology · 2026 · PMID 42712119

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases in which interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent extra-muscular manifestation and a major driver of morbidity and mortality. ILD occurs most commonly in antisynthetase syndrome and anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) dermatomyositis syndrome, the latter carrying a high risk of rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD). Although recent guidelines outline conventional immunosuppressive strategie…

Intratumoral Sotigalimab with Pembrolizumab Induces Rapid Activation of Antigen-Presenting Cells and Drives Antitumor Responses in Non-injected Tumors in Metastatic Melanoma: A Phase I/II Study.

Cancer discovery · 2026 · PMID 42013310

UNLABELLED: Immune checkpoint blockers (ICB) improve outcomes in metastatic melanoma (MM), but resistance limits benefit. This phase I/II (NCT02706353) study evaluated intratumoral sotigalimab (anti-CD40 agonist) with pembrolizumab in 32 patients with ICB-naïve MM. Primary endpoints were safety and objective response rate (ORR). Sotigalimab was well tolerated. At the recommended phase II dose, the ORR was 50%, and the disease control rate was 92%, with ORRs of 67% in injected and 50% in non-injected tumors. Multiom…

A mixed inflammatory peripheral signature defines clinical outcomes in a phase II trial combining pembrolizumab with paclitaxel and carboplatin in melanoma.

Oncoimmunology · 2026 · PMID 41732954

Checkpoint blockade of PD-1 with pembrolizumab provides long-term survival to a significant proportion of patients with metastatic melanoma. Pembrolizumab has been successfully used in combination with chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer to increase the response rate. This phase II trial combined pembrolizumab with carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) to assess its safety and efficacy, and to identify correlates of responses. Thirty patients without prior immunotherapy for unresectable/metastatic melanoma were treate…

High dose interleukin-2 in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 to overcome immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance in metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma.

Melanoma research · 2026 · PMID 42070986

To assess the combination of high dose interleukin 2 (HD IL2) and nivolumab in patients with checkpoint inhibitor-refractory melanoma or renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we performed a single-arm, Simon two-stage phase II trial for patients with unresectable stage III or IV melanoma or any histology RCC. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR); secondary endpoints were adverse events and progression-free survival (PFS), defined as time to radiographic or clinical progression, whichever occurred first. Five …

Associations of Outdoor Air Pollution With Incidence of Cancers Other Than Lung Cancer in a Large US Prospective Cohort.

International journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42071337

Outdoor air pollution, including particulate matter (PM), is a Group 1 carcinogen based on evidence for lung cancer; however, evidence for other cancers is limited. Further research on cancer incidence rather than mortality endpoints is needed as well as examinations in non-smokers. In the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort, annual predictions of particulate and gaseous pollutant concentrations were assigned to residential addresses. Extended Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence i…

Oral glucocorticoid treatment for checkpoint inhibitor-associated inflammatory arthritis does not affect cancer progression-free survival: a RADIOS Registry study.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases · 2026 · PMID 41966859

OBJECTIVES: Glucocorticoids are the first-line treatment for immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated inflammatory arthritis (ICI-IA). However, glucocorticoids may negatively impact cancer progression-free survival (PFS). We investigated the association between glucocorticoids and PFS among patients with cancer with ICI-IA. METHODS: Data from the prospective multicentre rheumatic adverse events due to Immunotherapy Observational Study registry were used. Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression models (tim…

T cell receptor repertoire dynamics and newly identified functional regulators of autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in advanced solid tumors.

Journal of translational medicine · 2026 · PMID 42618927

BACKGROUND: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy has demonstrated clinical potential in melanoma; however, its applicability across diverse solid tumors in Asian patients remains unclear. Identification of molecular targets to enhance the antitumor activity of TIL is urgently needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a phase I investigator-initiated trial, we evaluated the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of autologous TIL therapy in twelve patients with advanced melanoma, cervical, lung, or head and ne…

Adjuvant radiotherapy and skin cancer risk in breast cancer survivors: a nationwide cohort study in Korea.

British journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42286233

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is standard for breast cancer, but its impact on skin cancer risk, especially in Asian populations, remains unclear despite advanced techniques. This study aimed to assess skin cancer incidence following RT in a large South Korean cohort. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study, using South Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data (2009-2012), included 37,957 patients aged ≥20 with invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ who underwent curative sur…

Immunotherapy utilization patterns in patients with advanced cancer and autoimmune disease.

PloS one · 2024 · PMID 38625861

PURPOSE: Immunotherapy has been shown to improve cancer survival, but there are no consensus guidelines to inform use in patients with both cancer and autoimmune disease (AD). We sought to examine immunotherapy utilization patterns between cancer patients with and without AD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from a de-identified nationwide oncology database. Patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma were included. Outcomes of i…

Association between urinary paraben concentrations and skin cancer among US Adults.

Cancer epidemiology · 2026 · PMID 42607630

BACKGROUND: Parabens are widely used preservatives in personal care products and have demonstrated endocrine-disrupting and photosensitizing properties. However, their potential role in human skin carcinogenesis remains unclear. METHODS: We analyzed a nationally representative sample of 9756 adults (aged 20-80) using data from the 2005-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the association between paraben exposure and skin cancer. Exposure was determined by urinary concentrations of butylparaben …

Narrow-band UV-B (TL-01) Phototherapy Exposure and Skin Cancer Risk: A Nested Case-control Study.

Acta dermato-venereologica · 2026 · PMID 42713961

Narrow-band TL-01 ultraviolet B phototherapy (TL-01) is generally considered a relatively safe treatment for skin diseases, although conflicting findings have also been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the association between TL-01 exposure and skin cancer risk using a nested case-control design within a Finnish cohort of 4,815 patients treated with TL-01 monotherapy, with subsequent 38 cases of basal cell carcinoma, 13 cases of cutaneous melanoma, and 9 cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Four matche…

Clinical Phenotypes, Treatment, and Outcomes of Rheumatic Immune-Related Adverse Events in Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Rheumatologists-Referred Multicenter German Registry Cohort.

ACR open rheumatology · 2026 · PMID 42709467

OBJECTIVE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) induce a broad range of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including rheumatic manifestations. Evidence from dedicated rheumatology cohorts on the clinical spectrum, severity, treatment, and outcomes of rheumatic irAEs (rh-irAEs) remains limited. We aimed to describe clinical phenotypes, treatment, and outcomes of rh-irAEs in a national registry. METHODS: The German ERIN Registry (Registry for the Documentation of Rheumatic Immunotherapy-Related Adverse Events) is …

Early Cessation of Adjuvant Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Stage III and IV Melanoma.

International journal of cancer · 2026 · PMID 42717279

One year of adjuvant anti-PD-1 has improved disease-free survival in Stage III melanoma. It is unknown whether shorter treatment duration affects outcomes. Real-world data may help clarify this. In this retrospective observational study, patients with resected Stage III/IV melanoma receiving adjuvant anti-PD-1 in the Netherlands from 2018 to 2023 were included from the Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry. Three cohorts were identified: completion of 12 months adjuvant anti-PD-1 (A), early discontinuation due to toxic…

Smoking Status and Survival in Patients With Early-Stage Primary Cutaneous Melanoma.

JAMA network open · 2024 · PMID 38319662

IMPORTANCE: While smoking is associated with a decreased incidence of cutaneous melanoma, the association of smoking with melanoma progression and death is not well defined. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of smoking with survival in patients with early-stage primary cutaneous melanoma. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study performed a post hoc analysis of data derived from the randomized, multinational first and second Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trials (MSLT-I and MSLT-II). Partic…

Adjuvant Pembrolizumab in Stage II Melanoma: Outcomes by Primary Tumor Location in the Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III KEYNOTE-716 Trial.

Annals of surgical oncology · 2025 · PMID 39893343

BACKGROUND: Previous results from the KEYNOTE-716 trial demonstrated significantly improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) with adjuvant pembrolizumab versus placebo in patients with resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma. We present a post hoc analysis of efficacy according to primary tumor location. METHODS: KEYNOTE-716 (NCT03553836) is a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, phase III study. Patients aged ≥ 12 years with newly diagnosed, resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma…

Impact of GM-CSF and Two-Site Vaccination on Clinical Outcomes after Multipeptide Vaccination for Melanoma: Long-term Analysis of a Randomized Phase II Trial.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2026 · PMID 41849224

PURPOSE: We report the long-term clinical outcomes of a multicenter, randomized phase II trial (NCT00089193) that tested immunogenicity of a vaccine composed of 12 class I MHC-restricted melanoma peptides (12MP), with or without granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as an adjuvant and administered at one or two sites in patients with resected high-risk melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were randomized to one of four treatment arms: 12MP at one site (arm A), 12MP + GM-CSF at one site (…

Vibostolimab coformulated with pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone as adjuvant therapy for high-risk stage IIB-IV melanoma (KEYVIBE-010): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study.

The Lancet. Oncology · 2026 · PMID 41698381

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy with vibostolimab plus pembrolizumab has previously shown promising antitumor activity in melanoma. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vibostolimab coformulated with pembrolizumab as adjuvant therapy for high-risk resected melanoma. METHODS: This randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study was done at 205 global sites (hospitals and cancer centres). Participants aged 12 years or older with surgically resected, stage IIB-IV cutaneous melanoma per the American Joint Committee …

Physical examinations and whole-body imaging versus physical examinations alone during follow-up after radical surgery of stage IIB-C and III cutaneous malignant melanoma (TRIM): an interim analysis of a multicentre, randomised, phase 3 trial in Sweden.

The Lancet. Oncology · 2025 · PMID 41167217

BACKGROUND: In several countries, whole-body imaging has been introduced in the routine follow-up of individuals with high-risk cutaneous malignant melanoma after surgery. However, there is scarce evidence that earlier detection of recurrent disease by regular scanning improves survival. In this interim analysis, we investigated whether imaging in the follow-up programme for high-risk cutaneous malignant melanoma improves survival and assessed whether the study should continue to include participants. METHODS: TRIM…

Seven-year analysis of adjuvant pembrolizumab versus placebo in stage III melanoma in the EORTC1325 / KEYNOTE-054 trial.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2024 · PMID 39288737

UNLABELLED: In the previously reported primary analyses of this phase 3 trial, 12 months of adjuvant pembrolizumab resulted in significantly longer recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) than placebo in patients with resected high risk stage III melanoma. Stability of these benefits when the median follow-up was 3.5 and 5 years was published. Here we report results with a longer follow-up. METHODS: We randomized 1019 patients to receive pembrolizumab 200 mg or placebo, intravenou…

Effect of Aspirin on Melanoma Incidence in Older Persons: Extended Follow-up of a Large Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial.

Cancer prevention research (Philadelphia, Pa.) · 2022 · PMID 35395069

UNLABELLED: The effects of aspirin on melanoma are unclear, with studies reporting conflicting results. Data from two periods of the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study; the randomized placebo-controlled trial period examining daily 100 mg aspirin in older adults with a median follow-up of 4.7 years, and the second period, an additional 2 years of observational follow-up, were utilized in this secondary analysis to examine whether aspirin exposure is associated with a reduced cutaneous melanoma…

Randomized Trial of Postoperative Radiation Therapy After Wide Excision of Neurotropic Melanoma of the Head and Neck (RTN2 Trial 01.09).

Annals of surgical oncology · 2024 · PMID 38851639

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous neurotropic melanoma (NM) of the head and neck (H&N) is prone to local relapse, possibly due to difficulties widely excising the tumor. This trial assessed radiation therapy (RT) to the primary site after local excision. METHODS: Participants from 15 international centers were randomized to observation or RT. The participants were required to have microscopically negative excision margins 5 mm wide or wider and no evidence of disease elsewhere. The primary outcome was time to local relapse. Th…

IO102-IO103 immune-modulatory cancer vaccine and pembrolizumab in melanoma.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42025759

BACKGROUND: IO102-IO103, an investigational, immune-modulatory cancer vaccine, targets both tumor cells and immune-suppressive cells within the tumor microenvironment through activation and expansion of T cells against indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1-positive and/or programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This open-label, phase III trial randomly assigned 407 patients with untreated advanced melanoma in a 1:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous IO102-IO103 (85 μg each) plus pembrolizumab 200…

Overall survival from tebentafusp versus nivolumab plus ipilimumab in first-line metastatic uveal melanoma: a propensity score-weighted analysis.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 2024 · PMID 38048850

BACKGROUND: Tebentafusp demonstrated a superior overall survival (OS) benefit [hazard ratio (HR) 0.51] compared to investigator's choice (82% pembrolizumab) in a randomized, phase III trial (IMCgp100-202; N = 378) in untreated metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM). The 1-year OS rates for tebentafusp and pembrolizumab were 73% and 59%, respectively. In the single-arm GEM1402 (N = 52), the 1-year OS rate for nivolumab plus ipilimumab (N+I) in mUM was 52%. Due to limitations in conducting randomized trials in mUM, we compa…

COMBI-I: Long-Term Overall Survival With Spartalizumab Plus Dabrafenib and Trametinib in BRAF V600-Mutant Advanced Melanoma.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 42585631

The COMBI-I trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02967692) evaluating spartalizumab plus dabrafenib and trametinib (sparta-DabTram, n = 267) versus placebo plus dabrafenib and trametinib (placebo-DabTram, n = 265) for BRAF V600-mutant unresectable or metastatic melanoma failed to reach its primary end point of progression-free survival at 24 months. This final analysis reports overall survival (OS) during at least 5 years of extended follow-up. At the end of the trial (August 21, 2024), the median duration of f…

Adjuvant dendritic cell therapy in stage IIIB/C melanoma: the MIND-DC randomized phase III trial.

Nature communications · 2024 · PMID 38395969

Autologous natural dendritic cells (nDCs) treatment can induce tumor-specific immune responses and clinical responses in cancer patients. In this phase III clinical trial (NCT02993315), 148 patients with resected stage IIIB/C melanoma were randomized to adjuvant treatment with nDCs (n = 99) or placebo (n = 49). Active treatment consisted of intranodally injected autologous CD1c+ conventional and plasmacytoid DCs loaded with tumor antigens. The primary endpoint was the 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate, whe…

Radiotherapy versus imiquimod for complex lentigo maligna: A phase 3 randomized clinical trial.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2025 · PMID 40683357

BACKGROUND: For patients with lentigo maligna who are not suitable for surgery, radiotherapy, or topical imiquimod are alternative nonsurgical treatments. OBJECTIVE: This trial aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQL). METHODS: A multiinstitutional, phase 3, randomized trial conducted between August 2015 and November 2021. Patients were randomized to radiotherapy or imiquimod. The primary end point was treatment failure at 24 months. Secondary end points inclu…

Pilot Randomized Trial of an Educational Intervention About Immunotherapy for Patients With Advanced Cancer and Their Caregivers.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN · 2025 · PMID 39938469

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used cancer drugs. We developed "UPLIFT," a video and question prompt list (QPL) intervention to educate patients about ICI risks and benefits. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of UPLIFT versus usual care among 130 adults initiating ICIs and caregivers. Dyads were randomized 1:1 to receive UPLIFT or usual care prior to ICI initiation. Participants completed surveys at enrollment, 72 hours, and 6 weeks post-ICI initiation. The…

Checkpoint Inhibitors in Combination With Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors: The CHEERS Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA oncology · 2023 · PMID 37410476

IMPORTANCE: Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand 1 have improved the outcome for many cancer types, the majority of patients fails to respond to ICI monotherapy. Hypofractionated radiotherapy has the potential to improve the therapeutic ratio of ICIs. OBJECTIVE: To assess the addition of radiotherapy to ICIs compared with ICI monotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This open-label, multicenter, randomized…

Accuracy of PET/CT in the diagnosis of pelvic lymph node metastases in melanoma: A subgroup analysis of the prospective, randomised, phase III Evaluation of groin lymphadenectomy extent for metastatic melanoma (EAGLE-FM) trial.

European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology · 2026 · PMID 41240797

BACKGROUND: PET/CT is widely used in the staging of patients with melanoma groin lymph node (LN) metastases. This study aims to utilise prospectively collected data to determine the accuracy of this modality in the diagnosis of pelvic metastases in those patients with known inguinal LN involvement. METHODS: Data collected as part of the Evaluation of Groin Lymphadenectomy Extent for Metastatic Melanoma (EAGLE-FM) trial was analysed. Patients with known inguinal LN metastases were evaluated with 18 F-FDG PET/CT. Tho…

Follow-up Schedule for Patients With Sentinel Node-negative Cutaneous Melanoma (The MELFO Study): An International Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial.

Annals of surgery · 2022 · PMID 35866644

OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: The MELFO (MELanoma FOllow-up) study is an international phase III randomized controlled trial comparing an experimental low-intensity schedule against current national guidelines. BACKGROUND: Evidence-based guidelines for the follow-up of sentinel node-negative melanoma patients are lacking. METHODS: Overall, 388 adult patients diagnosed with sentinel node-negative primary melanoma patients were randomized in cancer centers in the Netherlands and United Kingdom between 2006 and 2016. The con…

Adjuvant Therapy of Nivolumab Combined With Ipilimumab Versus Nivolumab Alone in Patients With Resected Stage IIIB-D or Stage IV Melanoma (CheckMate 915).

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2023 · PMID 36162037

PURPOSE: Ipilimumab and nivolumab have each shown treatment benefit for high-risk resected melanoma. The phase III CheckMate 915 trial evaluated adjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab alone in patients with resected stage IIIB-D or IV melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, phase III trial, 1,833 patients received nivolumab 240 mg once every 2 weeks plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg once every 6 weeks (916 patients) or nivolumab 480 mg once every 4 weeks (917 patients) for ≤ 1 year. Aft…

Pembrolizumab versus placebo as adjuvant therapy in completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma (KEYNOTE-716): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

Lancet (London, England) · 2022 · PMID 35367007

BACKGROUND: Pembrolizumab prolongs progression-free and overall survival among patients with advanced melanoma and recurrence-free survival in resected stage III disease. KEYNOTE-716 assessed pembrolizumab as adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected, high-risk, stage II melanoma. We report results from the planned first and second interim analyses for recurrence-free survival. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 study, involving 160 academic medical centres and hospita…

A phase II randomized trial of individualized neoantigen peptide vaccine combined with unusual radiotherapy (iNATURE) in advanced solid tumors-GCOG0028.

Frontiers in immunology · 2025 · PMID 40918097

BACKGROUND: Neoantigen-based vaccines show promising therapeutic potential in solid tumors such as melanoma, GBM, NSCLC, and CRC. However, clinical responses remain suboptimal in stage IV patients, due to ineffective T-cell function and high tumor burdens. To overcome these limitations, our study investigates a combination strategy using neoantigen peptide vaccines and precision critical lesion radiotherapy (CLERT), which delivers immunomodulatory doses to key tumor regions synergistically enhance immune activation…

Pembrolizumab versus placebo as adjuvant therapy in resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma (KEYNOTE-716): distant metastasis-free survival results of a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial.

The Lancet. Oncology · 2022 · PMID 36265502

BACKGROUND: Patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma who undergo surgery alone are at a substantial risk for disease recurrence. Adjuvant pembrolizumab significantly improved recurrence-free survival versus placebo in stage IIB or IIC melanoma in the first interim analysis of the KEYNOTE-716 trial. Here, we report results from the secondary endpoint of distant metastasis-free survival (prespecified third interim analysis), and recurrence-free survival with longer follow-up. METHODS: KEYNOTE-716 is a multicentre, dou…

Prognostic and predictive value of metformin in the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 1325/KEYNOTE-054 phase III trial of pembrolizumab versus placebo in resected high-risk stage III melanoma.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 2023 · PMID 37277264

BACKGROUND: Metformin is a commonly prescribed and well-tolerated medication. In laboratory studies, metformin suppresses BRAF wild-type melanoma cells but accelerates the growth of BRAF-mutated cells. This study investigated the prognostic and predictive value of metformin, including with respect to BRAF mutation status, in the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 1325/KEYNOTE-054 randomised controlled trial. METHODS: Patients with resected high-risk stage IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC melanoma receive…

Efficacy of PDD-guided tumor excision combined with photodynamic therapy in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy · 2025 · PMID 39753196

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is an aggressive tumor with unclear margins. Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) enables the differentiation of tumor tissue from normal tissue via visible fluorescence. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is widely used in the treatment of non-melanoma skin tumors. This study aims to illustrate the efficacy and safety of PDD-guided tumor excision combined with ALA-PDT in patients with cSCC. METHODS: This study involved 23 cSCC patients, randomly assigned to the PDD group (n = 1…

Evidence that Mental Contrasting Reduces Health Information Avoidance.

Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine · 2023 · PMID 37318275

BACKGROUND: Although learning health information is beneficial for physical well-being, many people opt to avoid learning this information due to its potentially threatening nature. Such avoidance can lead to delays in seeking treatment. PURPOSE: This study tested the effectiveness of a self-regulation technique, mental contrasting (MC), specifically MC of a negative future with a positive current reality, in reducing health information avoidance regarding skin cancer (melanoma). We hypothesized that participants w…

Toripalimab (anti-PD-1) versus high-dose interferon-α2b as adjuvant therapy in resected mucosal melanoma: a phase II randomized trial.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · 2022 · PMID 35842199

BACKGROUND: No standard of care for mucosal melanoma (MM) in the adjuvant setting has been established. Meanwhile, relapse-free survival (RFS) is only ∼5 months after surgery alone. This phase II trial aimed to compare toripalimab versus high-dose interferon-α2b (HDI) as an adjuvant therapy for resected MM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 2017 to May 2019, 145 patients with resected MM were randomized (1 : 1) to receive HDI (n = 72) or toripalimab (n = 73) for 1 year until disease relapse/distant metastasis, unacce…