Karl Lewis, MD, medical oncologist, associate professor, University of Colorado, discusses sequencing strategies for the treatment of melanoma.

The timing of immunotherapy and targeted therapy is unknown at this time. Lewis says it is important for a physician to know and understand the molecular profile of a patient’s tumor earlier rather than later, especially regarding defects to BRAF or NRAS.

If a patient has relatively early metastatic disease and is asymptomatic, a physician should try treatment with with immunotherapy because there is the possibility of long term durable benefit. Targeted therapies could then be used if the patient does not respond, though Lewis admits that there is no good clinical trial data to support this.

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Dr. Lewis on Sequencing Strategies in Melanoma

Karl Lewis, MD, medical oncologist, associate professor, University of Colorado, discusses new and emerging treatments for metastatic melanoma.

Lewis says the list of new and emerging treatments for metastatic melanoma has grown due to the tremendous advancements in the field over the last couple of years.

In the immunotherapy field, Lewis says, ipilimumab showed a survival advantage for the first time in patients with melanoma. Progress is also being made with the development of PD-1 antibodies and PD-1 ligand antibodies.

There have also been developments in molecular targeted therapies, Lewis say, including agents targeting the RAS/RAF pathway, BRAF inhibitors, and MEK inhibitors.

Karl Lewis, MD, medical oncologist, associate professor, University of Colorado, discusses new and emerging treatments for metastatic melanoma

Karl Lewis, MD

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Dr. Lewis on Sequencing Strategies in Melanoma

Dr. Lewis on New and Emerging Treatments for Melanoma