Multiple gene mutations may predict recurrence in malignant melanoma

Source: Healio.com/hematology-oncology, March 2016

NEW YORK — Patients with primary malignant melanoma are at a higher risk for tumor recurrence if they have mutations in two or more cancer-related genes, according to study results presented at HemOnc Today Melanoma and Cutaneous Malignancies.

Advanced-stage or recurrent malignant melanoma can be difficult to treat; however, molecular profiling has led to the development of novel treatments — including BRAF, MEK, PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors — and has provided valuable prognostic data.

Francis Si Wai Zih, MD, MSc, FACS, FRCSC, a fellow in the department of surgical oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, and colleagues used next-generation sequencing to analyze tissue samples of 108 patients with malignant melanoma for mutations in targeted regions of 50 cancer-related genes. Researchers evaluated whether molecular profiling could predict clinical outcomes.