Critical Evaluation of Novel Therapies in Melanoma

A/Prof Pablo Fernandez-Peñas participated in the Expert Forum Symposium “Critical Evaluation of Novel Therapies in Melanoma” ( in the last Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology EADV) in Vienna (September 2016). Pablo reviewed the role of BRAF and MEK inhibitors in the era of the immunotherapies.
Although most authors support the use of anti-PD1 as first line therapy in all melanoma patients, in patients with high tumour burden, no other therapy has shown better and faster response than the combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors. It has to be considered that this only applies to melanomas harbouring the V600E BRAF mutation (40-50% of all melanomas).
Thinking about long term, it is common to assume that most melanomas develop resistance to the combination. Interestingly, clinical trial data is showing survivals over 50% at 2 years. Some experts are questioning the differences in survival as many patients treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors were in a worse clinical stage than those now treated with immunotherapies.
He also discussed the limited data about new combinations with other therapies and the most beneficial sequence of antimelanoma treatments.
The other talks in this symposium were: “Possibilities and limitations of PD1 antagonists”, “Anti-CTLA4 and -PD1 combination therapies: Possibilities and risks” and “What is the best combination with anti-PD1 therapies for advanced melanoma?”
Great speakers and great session in another excellent Congress of the EADV.