The objective of this recent study was to consider the causes and magnitude of melanoma overdiagnosis in Australia. Authors also speculate about a possible benefit of overdiagnosis in Australia; namely, a reduction in excess deaths in the geographical areas where melanoma is diagnosed most frequently.
This article discusses advances in imaging and early diagnosis including the use of AI in the field of melanoma diagnosis. It concludes that the benefits of performing biopsies must be balanced with the potential to cause harm. Whole-body imaging can assist with more accurate detection of changing lesions and enable clinicians to focus on lesions where change is detected.
Drug therapies are increasingly used for the treatment of many patients with melanoma. According to this recent review, early referral is crucial, and clinical trials remain the best choice for most patients. Recognition and prompt management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is vital, and collaboration between GPs and oncologists is essential for best care.
According to this recent study, melanoma incidence has declined in some younger age groups in Australia, including among people with high risk
ancestry. Authors conclude that social and behavioural changes over the same period that lead to lower levels of ultraviolet radiation exposure probably contributed to these changes.
This recent study aimed to determine adherence to personal risk-tailored melanoma skin check schedules and explore reasons influencing adherence. The study concludes that there was moderate adherence, and that further adherence may be gained by incorporating strategies to identify and assist patients with high levels of anxiety and supporting clinicians to communicate risk-based recommendations with patients.
According to this recent study, in patients with stage III melanoma, adjuvant lymph-node field radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy seems to be associated with longer disease-free survival, with acceptable tolerance. Results need to be confirmed by long-term and prospective studies.
Multiple types of extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising platforms for melanoma vaccination. This review focuses on the construction strategies for EV vaccines from various sources, their effects, and immunological mechanisms in treating melanoma, as well as the shortcomings and future perspectives in this field.
According to this recent study, circulating interleukin-8 (IL-8) and osteopontin appear useful biomarkers to refine prognosis evaluation of patients with advanced melanoma undergoing targeted therapy.
Findings of this recent cohort study of patients with advanced melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in clinical practice showed that their survival reached a plateau, comparable with patients participating in clinical trials. Authors of the study conclude that these findings can be used in daily clinical practice to guide long-term surveillance strategies and inform both physicians and patients regarding long-term treatment outcomes.
According to this recent study, the establishment of a personalised screening programme is complex, but results of the reviewed studies indicate that it is feasible, can improve participation rates, and screening outcomes. The study concludes that while the review primarily examined screening programmes for cancers other than melanoma, the insights can be used to inform the development of a personalised melanoma screening strategy.