Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with a decreased risk of developing melanoma brain metastases
Abstract Background Despite recent advancements in metastatic melanoma treatment, the emergence of melanoma brain metastases (MBM) continues to pose a challenge. This study aimed to explore factors associated with MBM development. Methods This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with adv...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BJC Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44276-025-00137-2 |
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| author | Anna Fager Matilda Samuelsson Roger Olofsson Bagge Aldina Pivodic Sara Bjursten Max Levin Henrik Jespersen Lars Ny |
| author_facet | Anna Fager Matilda Samuelsson Roger Olofsson Bagge Aldina Pivodic Sara Bjursten Max Levin Henrik Jespersen Lars Ny |
| author_sort | Anna Fager |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Despite recent advancements in metastatic melanoma treatment, the emergence of melanoma brain metastases (MBM) continues to pose a challenge. This study aimed to explore factors associated with MBM development. Methods This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma (unresectable stages III and IV [M1a-c]) between 2013 and 2019 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Differences in baseline and primary tumor characteristics, mutational status, biomarker levels, and first-line treatment between patients who developed MBM (BM+) and patients who did not develop MBM (BM-) were analyzed using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression. Result Of 395 patients, 91 subsequently developed MBM. Patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) as first-line treatment had a reduced risk of MBM development (p ≤ 0.001). None of the eleven patients who received CTLA-4 inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination with PD-1 inhibitors as first-line treatment developed brain metastases. Elevated plasma levels of S100B (p = 0.021) and higher metastatic stage (p = 0.047) were also associated with an increased risk of MBM development. Conclusion ICI treatment is associated with a decreased risk of MBM development, suggesting a protective role. Elevated S100B levels and stage IV disease at advanced melanoma diagnosis might indicate an increased risk of MBM development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cbb93106170c4cf4a4ebc482bdbf7786 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2731-9377 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | BJC Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-cbb93106170c4cf4a4ebc482bdbf77862025-08-20T02:11:46ZengNature PortfolioBJC Reports2731-93772025-04-01311810.1038/s44276-025-00137-2Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with a decreased risk of developing melanoma brain metastasesAnna Fager0Matilda Samuelsson1Roger Olofsson Bagge2Aldina Pivodic3Sara Bjursten4Max Levin5Henrik Jespersen6Lars Ny7Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University HospitalDepartment of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University HospitalDepartment of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgAPNC SwedenDepartment of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University HospitalDepartment of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University HospitalDepartment of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of GothenburgDepartment of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University HospitalAbstract Background Despite recent advancements in metastatic melanoma treatment, the emergence of melanoma brain metastases (MBM) continues to pose a challenge. This study aimed to explore factors associated with MBM development. Methods This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma (unresectable stages III and IV [M1a-c]) between 2013 and 2019 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Differences in baseline and primary tumor characteristics, mutational status, biomarker levels, and first-line treatment between patients who developed MBM (BM+) and patients who did not develop MBM (BM-) were analyzed using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression. Result Of 395 patients, 91 subsequently developed MBM. Patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) as first-line treatment had a reduced risk of MBM development (p ≤ 0.001). None of the eleven patients who received CTLA-4 inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination with PD-1 inhibitors as first-line treatment developed brain metastases. Elevated plasma levels of S100B (p = 0.021) and higher metastatic stage (p = 0.047) were also associated with an increased risk of MBM development. Conclusion ICI treatment is associated with a decreased risk of MBM development, suggesting a protective role. Elevated S100B levels and stage IV disease at advanced melanoma diagnosis might indicate an increased risk of MBM development.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44276-025-00137-2 |
| spellingShingle | Anna Fager Matilda Samuelsson Roger Olofsson Bagge Aldina Pivodic Sara Bjursten Max Levin Henrik Jespersen Lars Ny Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with a decreased risk of developing melanoma brain metastases BJC Reports |
| title | Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with a decreased risk of developing melanoma brain metastases |
| title_full | Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with a decreased risk of developing melanoma brain metastases |
| title_fullStr | Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with a decreased risk of developing melanoma brain metastases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with a decreased risk of developing melanoma brain metastases |
| title_short | Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with a decreased risk of developing melanoma brain metastases |
| title_sort | immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with a decreased risk of developing melanoma brain metastases |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44276-025-00137-2 |
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