Time interval from primary melanoma to first distant recurrence in relation to patient outcomes in advanced melanoma

The introduction of BRAF(/MEK) inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors has greatly improved the prognosis of advanced melanoma. A retrospective study in The Netherlands investigated the association between time to first distant recurrence (TFDR) and overall survival after first-line BRAF(/MEK) inhibitors or ICIs for advanced melanoma. Among the ICI-treated patients, TFDR < 2 years was associated with median OS 25.0 months, while TFDR > 5 years was associated with median OS 37.3 months (p=0.014). Among BRAF(/MEK) inhibitor treated patients, TFDR <2 years was associated with median OS 8.6 months and TFDR > 5 years with median OS 11.1 months (p=0.004). The authors concludethat advanced melanoma patients with longer TFDR have prolonged OS, irrespective of being treated with first-line ICI or targeted therapy.