ADJUVANT THERAPIES

Early melanoma that has not spread beyond the skin or nearby lymph nodes is usually treated with surgery. Adjuvant therapy is additional cancer treatment given after the primary treatment (surgery), to lower the risk that the cancer will come back. Stage IIB, IIC or III patients that have had surgery and are considered to have no further evidence of disease (fully resected), still may be at higher risk for recurrence of melanoma.

Adjuvant therapy or clinical trials are typically offered to stage III patients after they have had a complete surgical resection of their melanoma. Please consult with your medical team to determine current treatments or clinical trials available for stage III patients.

Types of Adjuvant Therapy Treatments


Nivolumab (Opdivo) A medicine that is given intravenously in the hospital or clinic to help delay or prevent melanoma from returning after the cancer has been removed. Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that targets PD-1, a protein on immune system cells (called T cells) that normally help keep these cells from attacking other cells in the body. Nivolumab blocks the PD-1 protein to help increase immune activity against melanoma. Opdivo, as monotherapy, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with Stage IIB, IIC or III melanoma following complete resection. 

Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) + trametinib (Mekinist)A pill combination that is swallowed to help prevent melanoma from returning in patients who have the BRAF mutation. Dabrafenib and Trametinib, respectively, inhibit the BRAF and MEK proteins. BRAF and MEK are key molecules that help regulate cell growth. Dabrafenib and Trametinib stops cancer cells from spreading.

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) Medication that is given intravenously in the hospital or clinic to help prevent melanoma from returning. Pembrolizumab also blocks the PD-1 protein to help increase immune activity against melanoma. Pembrolizumab is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with Stage IIB, IIC or III melanoma following complete resection.

Download our Patient Guide to Adjuvant Therapies

Download our free guide for Adjuvant Therapies in Melanoma – a guide to navigate treatment options.

The Following adjuvant therapies have been approved for funding in Canada: