Publications by authors named "Maria Francesca Morelli"

: Dabrafenib and trametinib (D + T) have been approved for the treatment of stage III melanoma with BRAF V600E V600K mutations in an adjuvant setting, based on the results from the COMBI-AD trial. To provide early access to this combination therapy prior to its commercial availability in Italy, a Managed Access Program (MAP) was run in Italy from June 2018 to December 2019. : The MADAM (Maximing ADjuvAnt MAP) study is an Italian retrospective-prospective observational study that included patients who received at least one dose of D + T through the MAP.

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  • When patients with metastatic melanoma do not respond to PD-1 inhibitors, ipilimumab may be a viable second-line treatment option in the absence of clinical trials.
  • A study of 44 patients who received ipilimumab showed significant differences in overall survival based on genetic mutations (BRAF, NRAS) and the presence of brain metastases, with wildtype patients having the best survival rate.
  • The findings suggest that ipilimumab remains an effective therapy especially for those without brain metastases, highlighting the importance of genetic profile in treatment outcome.
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  • Immunotherapy using anti-PD-1 antibodies has improved outcomes for advanced melanoma patients, but resistance to treatment is common.
  • This study analyzed the efficacy and safety of a weekly carboplatin plus paclitaxel (wCP) chemotherapy regimen in 30 patients who previously underwent anti-PD-1 treatment.
  • Key findings showed a median progression-free survival of 3.25 months and overall survival of 7.69 months, with notable factors influencing outcomes including LDH levels and tumor characteristics.
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Background: Stage III surgically resected melanoma is a disease at high risk of recurrence. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and the target therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors significantly changed the outcome of patients with metastatic melanoma and several studies have also shown their benefit in the adjuvant setting for the delay of recurrence in stage III melanoma patients. Hyperprogression disease was observed as a possible adverse response to immunotherapy in the metastatic setting, suggesting that some patients could face additional risk of progression with ICIs, although no consensus was found for the correct definition of this event.

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(1) Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare tumor, accounting for about 1% of all diagnosed melanomas. The etiology and pathogenesis of this tumor are unknown. It is characterized by an aggressive phenotype with poor prognosis and a low response rate to approved treatments.

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Purpose: Real-world data from patients with -mutated, resected, stage III melanoma treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib as adjuvant targeted therapy are limited, and it is important to gain an understanding of the characteristics of this patient population, as well as of the patient journey. Here we aimed to describe the characteristics, dosage reductions and discontinuations in patients with -mutated melanoma receiving adjuvant dabrafenib plus trametinib after surgical resection through an Italian managed access program (MAP).

Patients And Methods: Eligible patients had completely resected cutaneous melanoma with confirmed V600E or V600K mutation, or initially resectable lymph node recurrence after a diagnosis of stage I or II melanoma.

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Background: The prospective multicentre observational INVIDIa-2 study investigated the clinical effectiveness of influenza vaccination in patients with advanced cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). In this secondary analysis of the original trial, we aimed to assess the outcomes of patients to immunotherapy based on vaccine administration.

Methods: The original study enrolled patients with advanced solid tumours receiving ICI at 82 Italian Oncology Units from Oct 1, 2019, to Jan 31, 2020.

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In patients with B-RAF-mutated cutaneous melanoma, targeted therapies are the treatment of choice to achieve a rapid response. In this multicentric, prospective, observational study, patients with B-RAF-mutated cutaneous melanoma who were treated with dabrafenib and trametinib were categorized in two cohorts (cohort A: limited disease (n = 104) and cohort B: bulky disease (n = 97)) according to lactate dehydrogenase levels. The primary endpoint was the progression pattern; the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety data.

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