[Merkel cell carcinoma: An update].

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin cancer that mainly affects the elderly, and whose incidence is increasing. Although the exact origin of this cancer remains uncertain, research in recent years has revealed that MCC develops through two oncogenesis pathways: virally induced by the Merkel polyomavirus (80% of cases) and induced by mutations linked to ultraviolet rays (20% of cases). MCC is an aggressive cancer, with a high mortality rate and limited therapeutic options in advanced stage.

Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Study of Tilsotolimod in Combination With Ipilimumab Versus Ipilimumab Alone in Patients With Advanced Refractory Melanoma (ILLUMINATE-301).

Purpose: There are limited treatment options for advanced melanoma that have progressed during or after immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Intratumoral (IT) immunotherapy may improve tumor-specific immune activation by promoting local tumor antigen presentation while avoiding systemic toxicities. The phase 3 ILLUMINATE-301 study (ClinicalTrials.

Nivolumab and hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma: A phase 2 trial.

Background: Radiotherapy is thought to enhance anti-tumor immunity, particularly when delivered in a hypofractionated and multisite manner. Therefore, we investigated the effects of combining radiotherapy with nivolumab in patients with advanced melanoma.

Methods: This was a multicenter, non-randomized, phase 2 trial that enrolled patients with treatment-naïve metastatic melanoma.

Patient views on continued immune checkpoint inhibition following progression in advanced melanoma: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibition has revolutionized the management of metastatic melanoma, including in the final stages of disease progression: because it is well tolerated, some teams do not discontinue it in hopes of slowing disease progression. The risks are that treatment may be continued unnecessarily, causing side effects, and reduce access to specialist palliative care, in addition to increasing the cost of treatment.

Method: We explored the experiences of 10 patients in a university hospital with metastatic melanoma under continued immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with specialist palliative care.