Adjuvant therapy versus watch-and-wait post surgery for stage III melanoma: a multicountry retrospective chart review

Melanoma Management, 2019

Aim

To describe treatment patterns among patients with stage III melanoma who underwent surgical excision in years 2011-2016, and assess outcomes among patients who subsequently received systemic adjuvant therapy versus watch-and-wait.

Methods

Chart review of 380 patients from 17 melanoma centers in North America, South America and Europe.

Results

Of 129 (34%) patients treated with adjuvant therapy, 85% received interferon α-2b and 56% discontinued treatment (mostly due to adverse events). Relapse-free survival was significantly longer for patients treated with adjuvant therapy versus watch-and-wait (hazard ratio = 0.63; p < 0.05). There was considerable heterogeneity in adjuvant treatment schedules and doses. Similar results were found in patients who received interferon-based adjuvant therapy.

Conclusion

Adjuvant therapies with better safety/efficacy profiles will improve clinical outcomes in patients with stage III melanoma.

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Authors

Mohr P, Kiecker F, Soriano V, Dereure O, Mujika K, Saiag P, Utikal J, Koneru R, Robert C, Cuadros F, Chacón M, Villarroel RU, Najjar YG, Kottschade L, Couselo EM, Koruth R, Guérin A, Burne R, Ionescu-Ittu R, Perrinjaquet M, Zager JS