ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group melanoma research team led by Michael Atkins, MD, receives the 2023 Paper of the Year distinction from the Journal of Clinical Oncology
Source: EurekAlert!, January 2024
A team of melanoma researchers with the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN) is honored with the 2023 Paper of the Year distinction by the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The recognition is for the results of the DREAMseq randomized phase 3 clinical trial. DREAMseq (EA6134) showed an optimal treatment sequence for combination therapy in patients with advanced melanoma with a BRAFV600 tumor gene mutation. The treatment sequence beginning with immunotherapy (nivolumab and ipilimumab), followed by targeted therapy (dabrafenib and trametinib) if there was disease progression, resulted in a 20% absolute improvement in 2-year overall survival (72% v 52%) compared with the sequence beginning with dabrafenib and trametinib.
“When the results of the DREAMseq trial emerged, they had an immediate impact on clinical practice because these are FDA-approved regimens," said lead researcher Michael B. Atkins, MD, a medical oncologist at Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and a member of the ECOG-ACRIN Melanoma Committee.
Journal editors selected Dr. Atkins and the ECOG-ACRIN-led DREAMseq team (acknowledged below) based on the overall impact and reach of trial results among all papers during the year. The Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) is the flagship publication of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).