scholarly journals Risk tolerance in adjuvant and metastatic melanoma settings: a patient perspective study using the threshold technique

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Mansfield ◽  
Kelley Myers ◽  
Kathleen Klein ◽  
Jeetvan Patel ◽  
Antonio Nakasato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stage Iv ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Risk Tolerance ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Acceptable Risk ◽  
Treatment Benefit ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Unresectable Stage ◽  
Melanoma Patients

Background: Adverse events (e.g., pyrexia) may affect treatment patterns and adherence. This study explored pyrexia risk tolerance among melanoma patients when treatment benefit is unknown versus known. Materials & methods: US respondents with stage III (n = 100) or stage III unresectable/stage IV melanoma (n = 125) chose between hypothetical melanoma treatments, defined by reoccurrence/progression-free survival and pyrexia risk, one resembling standard-of-care and one resembling dabrafenib + trametinib. Respondents chose first when efficacy was unknown and then when efficacy was known; pyrexia risk was varied systematically to define maximum acceptable risk. Results: Maximum acceptable risk of pyrexia was statistically significantly higher when efficacy was known versus unknown in stage III patients (85 vs 34%) and stage III unresectable/stage IV patients (66 vs 57%). Conclusion: Patients accepted higher levels of pyrexia risk when they understood treatment benefit.

Dose intensive chemotherapy (Cx) in advanced thymoma: Initial report of Japan Clinical Oncology Group trials (JCOG 9605 and 9606)

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 7080-7080
Author(s):  
H. Kunitoh ◽  
T. Tamura ◽  
H. Fukuda ◽  
K. Nakagawa ◽  
K. Takeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thymic Carcinoma ◽  
Local Therapy ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Initial Report ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Unresectable Stage ◽  
Short Course ◽  
Ecog Ps

7080 Background: Thymoma is considered to be sensitive to Cx. Dose intensive Cx might well be suitable for such tumors, especially in combination with local therapy. Objectives of the trials were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the dose intensive CODE (cisplatin[C]- vincristine[O]- doxorubicin[D]- etoposide[E]) Cx in thymoma. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival time (PFS). Methods: Patients (pts) with 15–70 years of age with histologically documented Cx-naïve thymoma with stage IVa/IVb disease (JCOG 9605) or unresectable stage III disease (JCOG 9606) were eligible. Tumors of other histology, such as thymic carcinoma, carcinoid or lymphoma were excluded; pts were to have ample organ function and ECOG PS of 0–2. Myasthenia was allowed. Signed consent form was obtained. Pts received CODE Cx of 9 weeks (w): C 25 mg/m2 Cx day 1 on each w1–9; O 1mg/m2 d1 on w1,2,4,6,8; D 40 mg/m2 d1 and E 80 mg/m2 d1,2,3 on w 1,3,5,7,9. Cx courses were supported by GCSF. Steroids were used only for antiemesis. Those with stage III disease (JCOG 9606) went on to surgery, if judged to be resectable, and post-operative radiotherapy (RT) of 48Gy; those with unresectable disease received 60Gy RT. Results: From Jul./97 to Apr./05, 53 pts were entered to the studies. Five were found ineligible because of different histology. Pt characteristics and response to the Cx were summarized in the table . Toxicity of the Cx was mainly hematologic and generally well tolerated, with no toxic death; 70% of the pts completed planned 9 weeks. Thirteen pts in JCOG 9606 (stage III) received thoracotomy; tumor was resected in 11 pts, completely in 9 (39% of enrolled pts). Pathologic CR was observed in 3. The median PFS was 9.5m for stage IV and 4.5 y for stage III diseases. Overall survival at 2 & 5 yrs were 82% & 57% for stage IV and 96% & 77% for stage III pts. Conclusions: Short-course, dose intensive Cx was active against thymoma. Although it does not seem to bring long PFS in stage IV pts, it could improve resectability in limited disease. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Retrospective review of stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with carboplatin/paclitaxel plus radiotherapy followed by docetaxel

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 18123-18123
Author(s):  
M. R. Patel ◽  
M. Weidner ◽  
J. W. Lynch ◽  
E. Walden ◽  
T. J. George
Keyword(s):  
Response Rate ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Consolidation Therapy ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Phase Ii Studies ◽  
Unresectable Stage ◽  
Stage Iii Nsclc

18123 Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is standard of care for unresectable patients and the most widely cited trials include the locally advanced multi-modality protocol (LAMP) study, SWOG S9019 and S9504. Our institutional approach represents a merger between the protocols utilized in two of these phase II studies: chemoradiotherapy from the LAMP study and consolidation therapy from SWOG S9504. Methods: We identified all stage III patients treated at the NF/SG VHS from Jan 2001 to Dec 2005. Eligible patients who had unresectable stage III NSCLC were included in the analysis. We treated 34 patients with weekly paclitaxel 45 mg/m2 plus carboplatin AUC 2 and concurrent TRT 63.0 Gy over 7 weeks. Four weeks after the completion of chemoradiotherapy, docetaxel 75 mg/m2 was given every 3 weeks for 21 days for 3 cycles as consolidation. Our primary endpoints were overall and progression free survival. The secondary endpoints were response rate and toxicity. Results: With a median age of 65 years and follow-up time of 25.9 months, median overall survival was 13.7 mos. Median progression free survival was 9.8 mos. The overall response rate was 68% including 5 CRs (15%). The most common grade 3/4 toxicities included pneumonitis (21%), esophagitis (21%), neutropenia (21%) [febrile neutropenia (9%)], neuropathy (18%), anemia (15%) and hypersensitivity to paclitaxel (9%). 62% of patients were able to complete the planned treatment. There were no treatment related deaths. At the time of this analysis, 9 patients were alive (26%) including 7 without progression (21%). Conclusions: Chemoradiotherapy with weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel followed by consolidation therapy with docetaxel is associated with comparable outcomes to other combined modality regimens. Given the advanced age and co-morbidities of our population, this regimen was generally well tolerated with the expected toxicities and can be considered as an option in the treatment of patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals 300 Final analysis of a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIb trial of tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell vaccine in stage III/IV melanoma: 36-month analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A327-A327
Author(s):  
Lexy Adams ◽  
Robert Chick ◽  
Guy Clifton ◽  
Timothy Vreeland ◽  
Patrick McCarthy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Tumor Lysate ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Resected Stage ◽  
Disease Free ◽  
Stage Iv Melanoma

BackgroundThe tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine is created ex vivo by loading autologous dendritic cells (DC) with yeast cell wall particles (YCWP) containing autologous tumor lysate, thus delivering tumor antigens to the DC cytoplasm via phagocytosis. TLPLDC then activates a robust T cell response against the unique antigens for each patient. The primary analysis of the prospective, randomized, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIb trial in patients with resected stage III/IV melanoma showed TLPLDC improved 24-month disease-free survival (DFS) in the per-treatment (PT) analysis (patients completing the 6-month primary vaccine series). Here, we examine the secondary endpoint of 36-month DFS and overall survival (OS).MethodsPatients with resected stage III/IV melanoma were randomized 2:1 to TLPLDC vaccine or placebo (autologous DC loaded with empty YCWP). Treatments were given at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12 and 18 months. The protocol was amended to include patients receiving concurrent checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) to follow changes in standard of care. The co-primary endpoints were 24-month DFS by intention-to-treat (IT) analysis and per-treatment (PT) analysis, with secondary endpoints including 36-month DFS and OS by ITT and PT analysis, pre-specified analysis by stage, and safety as measured by CTCAE v4.03.ResultsOverall, 103 patients received TLPLDC and 41 placebo. In PT analysis, 65 patients received TLPLDC and 32 placebo. Total adverse events (AEs), grade 3+ AEs, and serious AEs (SAEs) were similar in placebo vs TLPLDC groups, with one related SAE per treatment arm. By ITT analysis, 36-month OS was 76.2% for TLPLDC vs 70.3% for placebo (HR 0.72, p=0.437) and 36-month DFS was 35.6% vs 27.1% (HR 0.95, p=0.841). By PT analysis, 36-month DFS was improved with TLPLDC (57.5% vs 35.0%; HR 0.50, p=0.025, figure 1). This effect was even more dramatic in resected stage IV patients (36-month DFS: 60.9% vs 0%; HR 0.12, p=0.001, figure 2).ConclusionsThis phase IIb trial again demonstrates the safety of the TLPLDC vaccine, and an improved 36-month DFS in patients with resected stage III/IV melanoma who complete the primary vaccine series, particularly in the stage IV subgroup. Next, a phase III trial will evaluate the efficacy of TLPLDC vaccine as adjuvant treatment for resected stage IV melanoma, with patients randomized to receive standard of care PD-1 inhibitors + TLPLDC versus PD-1 inhibitors + placebo.Abstract 300 Figure 136-month disease free survival for patients receiving TLPLDC vs placebo by PT analysisAbstract 300 Figure 236-month disease free survival for subset of stage IV melanoma patients receiving TLPLDC vs placebo by PT analysisTrial RegistrationThis is a phase IIb clinical trial registered under NCT02301611Ethics ApprovalThis study was approved by Western IRB, protocol 20141932.

Five-year survival outcomes with durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy in unresectable stage III NSCLC: An update from the PACIFIC trial.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8511-8511
Author(s):  
David R. Spigel ◽  
Corinne Faivre-Finn ◽  
Jhanelle Elaine Gray ◽  
David Vicente ◽  
David Planchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Unresectable Stage ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Stage Iii Nsclc

8511 Background: In the placebo-controlled Phase III PACIFIC trial of patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC whose disease had not progressed after platinum-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT), durvalumab improved overall survival (OS) (stratified hazard ratio [HR] 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53–0.87; p=0.0025; data cutoff [DCO] Mar 22, 2018) and progression-free survival (PFS) (stratified HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.42–0.65; p<0.0001; DCO Feb 13, 2017) based on the DCOs used for the primary analyses, and the degree of benefit remained consistent in subsequent updates. Durvalumab was associated with a manageable safety profile, and did not detrimentally affect patient-reported outcomes, compared with placebo. These findings established consolidation durvalumab after CRT (the ‘PACIFIC regimen’) as the standard of care in this setting. We report updated, exploratory analyses of OS and PFS, assessed approximately 5 years after the last patient was randomized. Methods: Patients with WHO PS 0/1 (and any tumor PD-L1 status) whose disease did not progress after cCRT (≥2 overlapping cycles) were randomized (2:1) 1–42 days following cCRT (total prescription radiotherapy dose typically 60–66 Gy in 30–33 fractions) to receive 12 months’ durvalumab (10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks) or placebo, stratified by age (<65 vs ≥65 years), sex, and smoking history (current/former smoker vs never smoked). The primary endpoints were OS and PFS (blinded independent central review; RECIST v1.1) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. HRs and 95% CIs were estimated using stratified log-rank tests in the ITT population. Medians and OS/PFS rates at 60 months were estimated with the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: Overall, 709/713 randomized patients received treatment in either the durvalumab (n/N=473/476) or placebo (n/N=236/237) arms. The last patient had completed study treatment in May 2017. As of Jan 11, 2021 (median follow-up duration of 34.2 months in all patients; range, 0.2–74.7 months), updated OS (stratified HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59–0.89; median 47.5 vs 29.1 months) and PFS (stratified HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.45–0.68; median 16.9 vs 5.6 months) remained consistent with the results from the primary analyses. The 60-month OS rates were 42.9% and 33.4% with durvalumab and placebo, respectively, and 60-month PFS rates were 33.1% and 19.0%, respectively. Updated treatment effect estimates for patient subgroups will be presented. Conclusions: These updated survival analyses, based on 5-year data from PACIFIC, demonstrate robust and sustained OS plus durable PFS benefit with the PACIFIC regimen. An estimated 42.9% of patients randomized to durvalumab remain alive at 5 years and approximately a third remain both alive and free of disease progression. Clinical trial information: NCT02125461.

HPV and survival in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (OPC) treated with induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy (ST) versus chemoradiotherapy alone (CRT): The Dana-Farber experience.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5582-5582
Author(s):  
Jochen H. Lorch ◽  
Glenn Hanna ◽  
Wei Dai ◽  
Vijaya Thotakura ◽  
Vidya Nair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cancer ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Group Outcomes ◽  
Hpv Status ◽  
Stage Iv Disease ◽  
Versus Stage

5582 Background: HPV status is a major prognostic marker for survival in patients with OPC. We examined overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in patients with OPC and known HPV status treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with ST and CRT between 2002 and 2011. Methods: 280 patients with OPC and known HPV status were identified retrospectively and clinical information was recorded. Results: 174 patients were treated with CRT (124 HPV positive, 50 HPV negative) and 106 patients were treated with ST (77 HPV positive, 29 HPV negative). For all 280 patients, OS and PFS were significantly better for patients who were HPV positive compared to those who were HPV negative. 3 year OS was 89.1% for HPV positive (95% CI, 83.8-94.7) and 70.5% for HPV negative patients (95%CI, 59.9-83%, HR 0.37, p=0.0007). Among HPV positive patients treated with CRT, 13/124 had died at 3 years (OS 88.5%, 95%CI 81.7-95.9) while 13 deaths were recorded among 50 HPV negative patients (OS 72.2%, 95% CI 59.1-88.2, HR 0.38, p=0.011). PFS at 3 years was also significantly better for HPV positive versus HPV negative patients(81.7% vs 58.8%, HR 0.42, p=0.006). In the group treated with ST, outcomes were similar despite a higher rate of stage IV versus stage III disease compared to the group treated with CRT (100% stage IV in ST versus 77% stage IV and 23% stage III disease in CRT group). Three year OS was 89.7% for HPV positive and 68.2% in the HPV negative group (8/77 HPV pos vs 10/29 HPV neg, HR 0.33, p=0.015). PFS was borderline better for HPV positive patients (81% vs 61.7%, HR 0.48, p= 0.058). Conclusions: We present the DFCI experience treating OPC with ST and CRT for patients with known HPV status over one decade.OS and PFS were superior for HPV positive versus HPV negative patients. Outcomes were virtually identical for patients treated with CRT versus ST despite a higher rate of stage IV disease in the ST group. Outcomes for the HPV negative patients in particular were superior compared to the published literature.

Association of dynamic changes of methylated SFRP2 in ctDNA with prognosis in advanced gastric cancer.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15051-e15051
Author(s):  
Yan Haijiao ◽  
Kele Ge ◽  
Wenyu Chen ◽  
Xizheng Mao ◽  
Xiaodong Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Dynamic Change ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Suppressor Gene ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Dynamic Monitoring ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Potential Biomarker

e15051 Background: Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) is a tumor suppressor gene and its hyper methylation could cause its inactivation and promote cancer development. However, whether methylated SFRP2 (mSFRP2) in ctDNA could serve as prognostic biomarker for patients with gastric cancer has not been thoroughly studied. Methods: Stage III or IV gastric cancer patients treated with systemic chemotherapy in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from 2015 to 2017 were included. The mSFRP2 before and during chemotherapy were dynamically detected from ctDNA by digital polymerase chain reaction-based technologies. Results: In total, 121 patients were enrolled, with 63 in stage III and 58 in stage IV. Baseline median mSFRP2 was higher in stage IV than stage III (64 VS 18 copies/ng, P < 0.001). In stage III GC, the top 50% mSFRP2 population had shorter median disease-free survival (DFS, 11.0 months VS NR; HR, 13.05; 95% CI, 3.05-55.95;) and overall survival (OS, 17.0 months VS NR; HR, 7.80; 95% CI, 1.81-33.60). Similar results were observed in stage IV GC that the median progression-free survival (PFS, 4.0 VS 7.0 months; HR, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.58-4.78) and OS (12.0 VS 16.0 months; HR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.67-5.92) was shorter in patients with top 50% mSFRP2. During the dynamic monitor along treatment, elevated mSFPR2 was associated with worse PFS (5.0 VS 7.0 months; HR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.25-3.76) and OS (12.0 VS 15.5 months; HR, 3.51; 95% CI, 1.94-6.35) in stage IV patients. Conclusions: Our study shows the association between SFRP2 methylation and its dynamic change and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. Our results provide a potential biomarker in ctDNA for prognosis and dynamic monitoring in patients with gastric cancer.

scholarly journals Surgery for Unresectable Stage IIIC and IV Melanoma in the Era of New Systemic Therapy

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Blankenstein ◽  
Maureen J. B. Aarts ◽  
Franchette W. P. J. van den Berkmortel ◽  
Marye J. Boers-Sonderen ◽  
Alfons J. M. van den Eertwegh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
Systemic Therapy ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Stage Iiic ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Unresectable Stage ◽  
Melanoma Treatment ◽  
Melanoma Patients

Opportunities for surgical treatment in metastatic melanoma patients have re-emerged due to the development of novel systemic therapeutics over the past decade. The aim of this study is to present data on outcomes of surgery in patients with unresectable stage IIIC and IV melanoma, who have previously been treated with immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Data was extracted from the Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry (DMTR) on 154 patients obtaining disease control to systemic therapy and undergoing subsequent surgery. Disease control was defined as a complete response (CR), which was seen in 3.2% of patients; a partial response (PR), seen in 46.1% of patients; or stable disease (SD), seen in 44.2% of patients. At a median follow-up of 10.0 months (interquartile range 4–22) after surgery, the median overall survival (OS) had not been reached in our cohort and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.0 months (95% CI 6.3–11.7). A CR or PR at first follow-up after surgery was associated with both a better OS and PFS compared to stable or progressive disease (p < 0.001). We conclude that selected patients can benefit from surgery after achieving disease control with systemic therapy.

A phase II study of YM155, a novel survivin suppressant, administered by 168 hour continuous infusion in patients with unresectable stage III or stage IV melanoma

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8538-8538 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Gonzalez ◽  
K. Lewis ◽  
W. Samlowski ◽  
L. Cranmer ◽  
J. Catlett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Infusion ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Melanoma Tumor ◽  
Minor Response ◽  
Unresectable Stage

8538 Background: In cell line studies, YM155 showed markedly potent antiproliferative activity against melanoma with 50% growth inhibition (GI50) values ranging from 0.35 nM to 910 nM. In melanoma tumor-bearing mouse xenograft models, YM155 showed significant antitumor activity including regression of tumors, at doses ranging from 1 to 10 mg/kg/day. Methods: Chemotherapy naive patients with unresectable Stage III or IV melanoma were eligible. The primary endpoint was tumor response defined by RECIST criteria. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival and toxicity. A Simon's two stage minimax design was utilized with the first stage requiring 1 response (N=27) and a total of 2 responses required at the conclusion of stage II (N=29). Patients were considered evaluable if they completed 2 cycles. YM155 was given as a 168-hour (7-day) continuous infusion every three weeks (1 cycle) at a dose of 4.8 mg/m2/day. Results: Enrollment is complete at 34 pts in order to reach 29 evaluable with treatment ongoing. Results are available for the first 26 pts. Median age was 59 y/o, (range 29 - 88) with ECOG PS of 0–1. There is one objective response of intrabdominal lymph nodes based on Investigator assessment at Cycle 2 confirmed at Cycle 4; another patient had a minor response (24% reduction) at Cycle 6 (currently at Cycle 8). Two subjects have shown stable disease after 6 cycles and remain on study. The median number of cycles is 3 (range 1 - 9). Two of 26 pts reported a grade 3 AE considered possibly related to YM155 (chest pain - nos and catheter related thrombosis). Nineteen of 26 pts have discontinued the study (18 PD, 1 withdrew consent). Conclusions: YM155 induced responses in 2 pts and was generally well tolerated. Given this encouraging response as a single agent, studies of YM155 combined with other agents are under consideration. [Table: see text]

Sex Is an Independent Prognostic Indicator for Survival and Relapse/Progression-Free Survival in Metastasized Stage III to IV Melanoma: A Pooled Analysis of Five European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Randomized Controlled Trials

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (18) ◽  
pp. 2337-2346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjen Joosse ◽  
Sandra Collette ◽  
Stefan Suciu ◽  
Tamar Nijsten ◽  
Poulam M. Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Metastatic Tumor ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
European Organisation ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Female Advantage

Purpose To study sex differences in survival and progression in patients with stage III or IV metastatic melanoma and to compare our results with published literature. Patients and Methods Data were retrieved from three large, randomized, controlled trials of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer in patients with stage III and two trials in patients with stage IV melanoma. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for females compared with males, adjusted for different sets of confounders for stage III and stage IV, respectively. Results In 2,734 stage III patients, females had a superior 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate compared with males (51.5% v 43.3%), an adjusted HR for DSS of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.76 to 0.95), and an adjusted HR for relapse-free survival of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.77 to 0.95). In 1,306 stage IV patients, females also exhibited an advantage in DSS (2-year survival rate, 14.1% v 19.0%; adjusted HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.92) as well as for progression-free survival (adjusted HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.88). This female advantage was consistent across pre- and postmenopausal age categories and across different prognostic subgroups. However, the female advantage seems to become smaller in patients with higher metastatic tumor load. Conclusion The persistent independent female advantage, even after metastasis to lymph nodes and distant sites, contradicts theories about sex behavioral differences as an explanation for this phenomenon. A biologic sex trait seems to profoundly influence melanoma progression and survival, even in advanced disease.

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