Approaches to High-Risk Resected Stage II and III Melanoma

Abstract

Over the last decade, several therapies, including both targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors, have dramatically changed the treatment landscape for patients with metastatic melanoma. These same therapies are now being used in the adjuvant setting with the hope of delaying or preventing the development of metastatic disease. Although phase III trials have shown a clear benefit for patients with resected bulky nodal disease, treatment decisions for patients with earlier-stage (high-risk stage II and stage IIIA) melanoma in the adjuvant setting are less straightforward given the small number of patients studied so far. Among patients with stage IIIB and worse disease, both targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown benefit in recurrence-free survival. Although a head-to-head comparison has not been completed, patient and tumor characteristics can guide the optimal treatment of an individual.