Evolving outlook for advanced melanoma patients thanks to a decade of progress in therapeutic advancements.

• Melanoma, the most severe form of skin cancer, is the fifth most common cancer in Belgium.¹
  
  
• The introduction of innovative treatments has improved survival rates for advanced melanoma. Thanks to certain immunotherapy treatments, the 10-year survival rate is now 43%², compared to just 4-5% after three years before these treatments were available.³
  
  
• Ongoing investment in medical innovation is crucial, as melanoma incidence in Belgium is projected to rise with 11.3% by 2040.⁴

The incidence of malignant melanoma has been steadily increasing, particularly among individuals aged 45 and older - a trend expected to continue in the coming years⁵. On January 25, the Flemish patient association Melanoompunt vzw organized a multidisciplinary panel of experts and survivors to reflect on 10 years of advancements in melanoma treatment through immunotherapy and targeted therapy, as well as the challenges that lie ahead. Continue reading below for more information about this study day or visit the Dutch website of Melanoompunt.

Over the past decade, the treatment landscape for advanced melanoma has undergone a dramatic transformation. The introduction of innovative therapies has not only extended survival rates but also significantly enhanced patients’ quality of life. Before the introduction of immunotherapy for example, survival rates for advanced melanoma were dire - only 20% after one year, 8-9% after two years, and just 4-5% after three years. Today, the 10-year survival rate has surged to 43%⁶.

Prof. Dr. Bart Neyns, Head of the Medical Oncology Department at UZ Brussel, emphasized the critical role of clinical research in these medical advancements: "Each breakthrough in immunotherapy and targeted therapy has brought us closer to more effective treatments. A major milestone was reached 20 years ago when our hospital participated in a trial testing a new immunotherapeutic option for patients who had exhausted chemotherapy. Another leap forward came 10 years ago with the introduction of anti-PD-1 inhibitors."

Diane, a 75-year-old melanoma survivor, shared her personal experience during the study day of Melanoompunt vzw. Diagnosed with advanced melanoma eight years ago after persistent abdominal pain, she faced grim prognoses from multiple oncologists. However, Diane beat the odds: "Today, eight years later, I am living proof that medical innovation brings hope to patients."

Despite these groundbreaking advancements, challenges remain, particularly for patients who do not respond to currently available treatments. Dr. Paul Lacante highlighted the need for new predictive tools and emerging therapies: "For instance, we still lack sufficiently sensitive and specific biomarkers to predict treatment response. However, promising breakthroughs in metastatic melanoma treatments are on the horizon—such as a new inhibitor, personalized cancer vaccines, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, a form of cellular immunotherapy."

He stressed that continuous collaboration among researchers, regulators, and healthcare providers is vital to ensure rapid access to innovations for patients in need. As melanoma incidence continues to rise, investment in research for new and improved treatments remains crucial. With new breakthroughs on the horizon, the hope is to further improve survival rates and provide better outcomes for all patients battling advanced melanoma.

^{1 Belgian Cancer Registry. Cancer Fact Sheet – Melanoma, 2022. Available at: https://kankerregister.org/sites/default/files/2024/Melanoma_2022_3.pdf}

^{2 Korn E, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(4):527-534. 2. Wolchok J, et al. N Engl J Med. 2024;391:1345-1356.}

^{3 Korn E, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(4):527-534. Wolchok J, et al. N Engl J Med. 2024;391:1345-1356.}

^{4 Schönborn C, Léonard U, Van Goethem R, Dobbelaere J, Zhi Tan Y, Van Montfort T, Claerman R, De Jaeger M,De Pauw R, Kohn L, Levy M, Cleemput I, Maertens De Noordhout C. Needs Examination, Evaluation andDissemination (NEED): Identification of unmet health-related needs associated with malignant melanoma. HealthServices Research (HSR) Brussels: Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE). 2024. KCE Reports 377C2.D/2024/10.273/06.}

^{5 Korn E, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(4):527-534.}

^{6 Wolchok J, et al. N Engl J Med. 2024;391:1345-1356.}