As the field of liquid biopsies for tracking disease progression and therapeutic response heats up, many doctors are looking for ways to apply this approach to their patients. Currently, assays for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) – one type of liquid biopsy – have been approved for diagnostic purposes in metastatic breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer. In these diseases, the presence of CTCs in the peripheral blood is associated with decreased progression-free survival and decreased overall survival.
Scientific Publications
Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio is an Independent Prognostic in Melanoma
For patients with metastatic melanoma, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) before initiating ipilimumab treatment is an independent prognostic indicator of poor survival, according to a study published online Sept. 6 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Nivolumab in the treatment of malignant melanoma: Review of the literature
Nivolumab (Opdivo) can become an alternative therapy for advanced malignant melanoma, according to a literature review published in the journal OncoTargets and Therapy.
Metastatic Melanoma Responsive To IL-2, Imiquimod Combo
A combination therapy of intralesional interleukin (IL)-2 administered with topical imiquimod and a retinoid cream resulted in complete local response in 100% of 11 patients with metastatic melanoma, a small retrospective case study has revealed (J Am Acad Dermatol2015;73[4]:645-654, PMID: 26259990).