Five cases of malignant melanoma in which new lesions appeared after anti－PD－1 antibody treatment but long－term survival was achieved with continued treatment

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are the primary treatment for BRAF^V600E－negative melanoma. However, when progressive disease (PD) occurs, few alternative treatments are available. Continuing immune checkpoint inhibitors after PD, known as treatment beyond progression (TBP), has been suggested to potentially extend overall survival. Attempts to use this approach have been reported in various cancers, including stomach and lung cancers, in addition to melanoma. Here, we present five cases in which immune checkpoint inhibitors were administered after PD, resulting in long－term survival (19–66 months). All patients had a performance status of 0, and there was no increase in lactate dehydrogenase during the disease course. From a medical economics perspective, it is crucial to identify the patient characteristics that predict efficacy of TBP in the future.[Skin Cancer (Japan) 2024 ; 39 : 270－277]