In a nutshell
This study examined the survival rates of melanoma patients with brain metastasis treated with new therapies. Researchers concluded that PD-1 agents are associated with improved survival outcomes.
Some background
More than 50% of melanoma patients develop brain metastasis (cancer spread), with an overall survival of 17 to 22 weeks. The standard treatment of these patients has included surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. More recently, targeted therapies (that target certain genetic mutations or molecules involved in cancer growth) have been associated with improved survival rates when compared with the standard treatment. Patients treated with therapies such as BRAF and MEK inhibitors, anti-CTLA4 and anti PD-1 antibodies can reach up to 2 years of survival. However, the real impact of these therapies on survival outcomes in patients with brain metastases is not well known.
Methods & findings
The objective of this study was to analyze the survival outcomes of melanoma patients with metastasis to the brain.
This study included information on 79 melanoma patients. The average time from melanoma diagnosis was 3.2 years with an overall survival of 12.8 months. 43% underwent a craniotomy (brain surgery). 68.4% received radiation to the brain.
After diagnosis of brain metastasis, 49.4% were treated with anti-CTLA4, 35.4% with anti-PD1 and 30.4% with BRAF inhibitors. The treatment with anti-CTLA4 was associated with an average overall survival of 19.2 months, the anti-PD1 with 37.9 months and the BRAF inhitibor with 12.7 months.
The bottom line
This study shows an improved survival of melanoma patients with brain metastasis, particularly those treated with PD-1 agents.
The fine print
This was a retrospective study, meaning it looked back at patient records.
Published By :
BMC cancer
Date :
Apr 27, 2018
