Combination of pembrolizumab plus temozolomide therapy in unresectable and advanced melanoma: a multicenter retrospective analysis in China

• DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-5738
• Publication Date: 2021-11-15T07:22:09Z
• Authors: Tu Hu; Wei Sun; Yu Xu; Xinglong Qu; Yongjia Jin; Zhiguo Luo; Yong Chen
• Keywords: Temozolomide; Dacarbazine

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of anti-PD-1 combined with temozolomide as front-line therapy in patients unresectable advanced melanoma.The records melanoma first treated pembrolizumab plus temozolomide, alone, or temozolomide-based chemotherapy at three cancer centers from May 2018 February 2020 were reviewed. Patients followed up until death October 30, 2020. Data retrospectively reviewed and statistically analyzed for best objective response rate (ORR) progression-free survival (PFS), well toxicities.Sixty-nine individuals identified, including 28 (40.6%) acral melanoma, 18 (26.1%) cutaneous 21 (30.4%) mucosal two (2.9%) unknown primary melanoma. The ORR (8/20, 40.0%) was higher than (3/24, 12.5%) (1/25, 4.0%) alone therapies. median PFS 9.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-17.9 months], which a significant improvement on 4.2 (95% CI: 2.6-5.8 months) [hazard ratio (HR) 0.415, 95% 0.185-0.931, P=0.033]. 6.2 2.5-9.9), no difference compared (HR 0.647, 0.334-1.252, P=0.196).Combining has better efficacy treatment without increasing toxicity. Therefore, may be preferentially used regimen