Which therapy is generally recommended for patients with advanced melanoma?

Which therapy is generally recommended for patients with advanced melanoma?

• A. Radiation therapy
• B. Chemotherapy
• C. Surgical intervention
• D. Immune checkpoint inhibitors

Answer: (D)

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are generally recommended for patients with advanced melanoma due to their mechanism of action that enhances the body’s immune response against cancer cells. These therapies, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, specifically target proteins that inhibit immune responses, thereby allowing T-cells to better recognize and attack melanoma cells. This shift towards immunotherapy in the treatment of advanced melanoma is significant because it has shown improved survival rates and durable responses compared to traditional therapies like chemotherapy and radiation. While chemotherapy may provide some benefit in certain contexts, it usually does not achieve the same level of effectiveness as immune checkpoint inhibitors for this type of cancer. Surgical interventions can be effective for localized tumors, but in advanced cases where there is metastatic spread, immunotherapy has become the cornerstone of treatment. The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced melanoma has reshaped treatment strategies, making them a preferred option for managing this aggressive malignancy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are generally recommended for patients with advanced melanoma due to their mechanism of action that enhances the body’s immune response against cancer cells. These therapies, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab, specifically target proteins that inhibit immune responses, thereby allowing T-cells to better recognize and attack melanoma cells.

This shift towards immunotherapy in the treatment of advanced melanoma is significant because it has shown improved survival rates and durable responses compared to traditional therapies like chemotherapy and radiation. While chemotherapy may provide some benefit in certain contexts, it usually does not achieve the same level of effectiveness as immune checkpoint inhibitors for this type of cancer. Surgical interventions can be effective for localized tumors, but in advanced cases where there is metastatic spread, immunotherapy has become the cornerstone of treatment.

The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced melanoma has reshaped treatment strategies, making them a preferred option for managing this aggressive malignancy.