Clinical Report: Treatment Approaches in Resectable Stage III Melanoma

Overview

This study analyzed treatment patterns and survival outcomes in patients with resectable stage III melanoma undergoing adjuvant therapy in France. Key findings include a 36-month overall survival rate of approximately 80% and a recurrence-free survival rate of around 50%. Immunotherapy was the predominant treatment modality, representing 70% of adjuvant therapies.

Background

Melanoma, while accounting for only 10% of skin cancers, has a high metastatic potential, making it one of the most lethal forms of skin cancer. In France, the prevalence of melanoma has surpassed 180,000 cases in 2023, highlighting the need for effective treatment strategies. The advent of adjuvant immunotherapies and targeted therapies has transformed the management of stage III melanoma, yet real-world data on treatment patterns and outcomes remain limited.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Among 2612 patients, 36-month OS was around 80%.
• 36-month RFS was approximately 50%.
• Immunotherapy accounted for 70% of adjuvant therapies.
• Immunotherapy represented 75% of therapies used at recurrence.
• The study utilized data from the French national health data system (SNDS).

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate a significant reliance on immunotherapy in the adjuvant treatment of stage III melanoma. Understanding these treatment patterns can inform clinical decision-making and patient management strategies in this population.

Conclusion

Revise to eliminate editorial interpretations and focus on findings directly from the study.

Related Resources & Content

1. Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Lymph Node-Positive Cutaneous Melanoma, 2010 -- Springer
2. Clinical Features, Treatment Approaches, and Outcomes in US Patients with Resected Stage I–III NSCLC, 2025 -- Springer
3. Expert Point of View: Alexander M.M. Eggermont, MD; Omid Hamid, MD; and James Larkin, PhD, 2022 -- ASCO Post
4. Adjuvant nivolumab and relatlimab in stage III/IV melanoma: the randomized phase 3 RELATIVITY-098 trial, 2025 -- Nature Medicine
5. Seven-year analysis of adjuvant pembrolizumab versus placebo in stage III melanoma, 2024 -- ScienceDirect
6. The ASCO Post — LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Adjuvant Therapy in Cutaneous Melanoma: The Need for a New Approach
7. Sustained benefit of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in melanoma
8. Adjuvant nivolumab and relatlimab in stage III/IV melanoma: the randomized phase 3 RELATIVITY-098 trial | Nature Medicine
9. Seven-year analysis of adjuvant pembrolizumab versus placebo in stage III melanoma in the EORTC1325 / KEYNOTE-054 trial - ScienceDirect