NEOADJUVANT THERAPY
Neoadjuvant therapy is an emerging approach that helps the immune system fight melanoma before surgery. By giving treatment before surgery, it helps shrink tumours and trains the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. This could lead to better long-term cancer control and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Neoadjuvant therapy allows the immune system to start fighting cancer earlier, which may make surgery less invasive and improve outcomes. Early studies show promising results, with patients responding well and experiencing fewer side effects. While more research is needed, this approach could change the way melanoma is treated in the future, offering new hope for patients. Please consult with your medical team to determine current treatments or clinical trials available for stage III patients.
Who Are Candidates For This Treatment:
Adult patients with Stage III (resectable macrosopic) or Stage IV melanoma are candidates for this treatment.
Types of NeoAdjuvant Therapy Treatments Available in Canada:
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda): For treatment of adult patients with Stage III or Stage IV melanoma. This drug is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that targets PD-1, a protein on immune system cells (called T cells), that normally helps keep these cells from attacking other cells in the body. By blocking PD-1, this drug boosts the immune response against melanoma cells. This can often shrink tumours and help people live longer. These drugs are given as an intravenous (IV) infusion every 3 weeks. Neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with Stage III or Stage IV melanoma.
Nivolumab (Opdivo) + Ipilimumab (Yervoy): For adult patients with respectable stage III melanoma. Cancer cells may exploit “regulatory” pathways, such as checkpoint pathways, to hide from the immune system and shield the tumor from immune attack. OPDIVO® and YERVOY® are immune checkpoint inhibitors that target separate, distinct and complementary checkpoint pathways (PD-1 and CTLA-4).1 which increases your body’s immune response. The drugs activate immune cells—unleashing them, in effect—so that they can invade tumors and attack melanoma cells.
Clinical Trials
Discuss with your healthcare team options of clinical trials applicable to you. You can access Melanoma Canada’s Clinical Trial Finder to match with trials