Adjuvant BRAF/MEK versus anti-PD-1 in BRAF-mutant melanoma: a propensity score matched survival analysis: Clinical Studies

M Bloem*, M M de Meza, A J M van den Eertwegh, M J B Aarts, F W P J van den Berkmortel, C U Blank, W A M Blokx, M J Boers-Sonderen, J J Bonenkamp, C D M Boreel, J W B de Groot, J B A G Haanen, G A P Hospers, E Kapiteijn, O J van Not, D Piersma, B Rikhof, A M Stevense-den Boer, A A M van der Veldt, G VreugdenhilK P M Suijkerbuijk, M W J M Wouters

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Adjuvant BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAF/MEK) and anti-PD-1 therapy have become the standard care in resected stage III/IV melanoma. A head-to-head clinical trial comparison is lacking. Methods: All stage III BRAF-mutant melanoma patients who received adjuvant BRAF/MEK or anti-PD-1 (2018-2022) were included from the Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare 1- and 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS), and toxicity rates. Findings: Among 952 patients (226 BRAF/MEK and 726 anti-PD-1), BRAF/MEK-treated patients had lower disease stages (16·4% versus 9·9% stage IIIA; p < 0·01) and more often comorbidities (75·2% versus 63·4%; p < 0·01). Median follow-up was 29 months. PSM created two similar groups of 223 patients. RFS, DMFS, and OS were not significantly different before and after PSM. Two-year RFS was 62% (95% CI 55–71) for BRAF/MEK and 65% (95% CI 58–72) for anti-PD-1; 2-year DMFS was 81% (95% CI 74–87) versus 81% (95% CI 75–86); 2-year OS was 86% (95% CI 81–92) versus 89% (95% CI 85–94), respectively. Grade ≥ 3 toxicity was reported in 11·7% (BRAF/MEK) and 13·4% (anti-PD-1). Conclusion: After PSM, no significant differences in outcomes were observed between adjuvant anti-PD-1 and BRAF/MEK-treated patients with stage III BRAF-mutant melanoma.

Original languageEnglish
Article number102290
Pages (from-to)1124-1130
Number of pages7
JournalBritish Journal of Cancer
Volume132
Issue number12
Early online date15 Apr 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2025

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Adjuvant BRAF/MEK versus anti-PD-1 in BRAF-mutant melanoma: a propensity score matched survival analysis: Clinical Studies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this