As a physician, I often hear the fear and uncertainty in my patients’ voices when they are first diagnosed with melanoma. It’s a serious and often deadly form of skin cancer, and it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. But I want my patients to know that there is hope, and recent clinical trials have provided valuable information about the potential benefits of different treatment approaches.
Meet Sarah, a 32-year-old mother of two who was recently diagnosed with advanced melanoma that is driven by a specific genetic mutation called BRAFV600. Like many of my patients, Sarah was scared and confused about her options. She wanted to make sure she was making the best decision for her health and her family.
After reviewing the results of the SECOMBIT and DREAMSeq clinical trials with Sarah, we decided that combination immunotherapy would be the best choice for her. The SECOMBIT trial compared three different treatment approaches and the results showed that arms B and C slightly outperformed arm A with 2-year survival rates of 73% and 69% respectively. The DREAMSeq trial also showed that patients who received nivolumab and ipilimumab in the first step had a significantly higher 2-year overall survival rate (71.8%) compared to those who received dabrafenib and trametinib (51.5%).
Sarah was initially hesitant about starting immunotherapy, but after discussing the potential benefits and potential side effects with her, she felt more confident in her decision. She was particularly comforted by the fact that the survival rates for the combination immunotherapy were higher than the other options, and that it could potentially improve her chances of survival. Combinational immunotherapy should be the preferred option however there are times where targeted treatment may be needed upfront for immediate responses. However, the data suggest that these patients should ultimately pursue immunotherapy as soon as possible perhaps after maximal response with targeted therapy.
I hope this story can offer hope and inspiration to others who are facing similar challenges. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with advanced melanoma that is driven by a BRAFV600 mutation, it’s important to discuss the study results with your healthcare team to determine the best treatment approach for you. With the right treatment and support, we can work together to improve your chances of survival.
About the author
Dr. Sajeve Thomas is a distinguished medical professional and a compassionate guide in the field of oncology. With over a decade of dedicated experience as a board-certified medical oncologist/internal medicine specialist, Dr. Thomas has become a trusted expert in the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma, and gastrointestinal conditions. Currently practicing at the renowned Orlando Health Cancer Institute, he brings a wealth of expertise to the complex and challenging world of oncology.
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