Dr. Contreras on the Role of Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab in Desmoplastic Melanoma
Source: Onc Live, January 2023
Carlo Contreras, MD, a surgical oncologist for Skin and Soft Tissue Cancers, a member of the Translational Therapeutics Program, medical director of Ambulatory Services at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC)–James, and an associate professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology at The Ohio State University, discusses the role of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for the treatment of patients with desmoplastic melanoma.
The phase 2 SWOG 1512 trial (NCT02775851) evaluated the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in patients with desmoplastic melanoma. The trial included patients with both resectable and unresectable disease.
In cohort A, patients with resectable desmoplastic melanoma received 200 mg of intravenous pembrolizumab once every 3 weeks for 3 cycles in the neoadjuvant setting, and, if they were eligible for resection, then proceeded to surgery. Those who experienced progression received 1 more cycle of pembrolizumab. In cohort B, patients with unresectable desmoplastic melanoma were given pembrolizumab once every 3 weeks for up to 34 cycles, or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.