Atkins Assesses the Differences Between Immunotherapy Strategies in Advanced Melanoma
Source: Targeted Oncology, September 2023
During a Targeted Oncology™ Case-Based Roundtable™ event, Michael B. Atkins, MD, discussed with participants what factors influence the choice of first-line immunotherapy for a patient with BRAF–wild-type metastatic melanoma.
CASE SUMMARY
A 78-year-old man with a history of stage III melanoma underwent surgical resection 12 years ago. At the time, he was lymph node density (LND) positive for nodal involvement but declined complete LND and adjuvant systemic therapy. The patient has remained active since his surgery and maintains regular follow-up, but at a routine follow-up visit, he presented with moderate asthenia limiting his daily activities but no other relevant clinical symptoms.
He had an ECOG performance score of 1, but results of his physical examination were unremarkable. Notable laboratory findings showed lactate dehydrogenase levels of 380 U/L (reference range, 110-240). A full-body CT scan revealed the presence of pulmonary and hepatic nodules but no evidence of brain metastases.