Combining therapies with the new molecular and immunotherapies is the most promising way forward for treatment of metastatic melanoma.
Published in Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology in Feb. 2016: Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer characterised by poor prognosis and a complex etiology. Until 2010, the treatment options for metastatic melanoma were very limited. Largely ineffective dacarbazine, temozolamide or fotemustine were the only agents in use for 35 years. In recent years, the development of molecularly targeted inhibitors in parallel with the development of checkpoint inhibition immunotherapies has rapidly improved the outcomes for metastatic melanoma patients. Despite these new therapies showing initial promise; resistance and poor duration of response have limited their effectiveness as monotherapies. The future of melanoma treatment goes beyond monotherapies to a combinatorial approach. Combining older therapies with the new molecular and immunotherapies is the most promising way forward for treatment of metastatic melanoma.