The impact of targeted therapies and immunotherapy in melanoma brain metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Source: MDLinx, August 2019

Via this meta-analysis, researchers assessed the activity and efficacy of the following strategies to treat patients with melanoma brain metastases: targeted therapies (TT), combination immunotherapy (CMI), and monoimmunotherapy (MI) in combination with radiotherapy (CRI) or not in combination. From MEDLINE, Embase, and conference proceedings up to January 2019, they identified trials reporting treatment of melanoma brain metastases with combination TT, monotargeted TT (mono TT), MI, CMI, and CRI. Overall 15 trials with 1,132 patients were included. According to the findings, increased long-term progression-free survival and overall survival were reported in relation to treatment with CMI vs MI and combination TT. They found that combination TT and CMI had a similar intracranial response rate. With regard to the role of systemic therapy in combination with radiotherapy, further exploration is recommended.

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