Beyond the 5‐year milestone: Long‐term survivorship of melanoma patients treated off‐trial with anti‐PD‐1

Abstract

AbstractLittle is known about the long‐term outcomes of anti‐PD‐1 treated patients with melanoma beyond 5 years, especially for patients treated off clinical trials. This retrospective cohort study includes patients with unresectable stage III/IV nonuveal melanoma treated with anti‐PD‐1 off‐trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between 2014 and 2017 who survived at least 5 years following their first anti‐PD‐1 dose (N = 139). We characterized overall survival (OS), melanoma‐specific survival (MSS) estimates, treatment‐free survival rates, and subsequent treatment courses. Median follow‐up among 5‐plus year survivors (N = 125) was 78.4 months (range 60.0–96.3). OS at year 7 (2 years post 5‐year landmark) was 90.1% (95% CI: 83.0%–94.3%). Fourteen deaths occurred, seven due to melanoma. MSS at year 7 (2 years post 5‐year landmark) was 95.0% (95% CI: 33.5%–95.2%). In patients who completed anti‐PD‐1 based therapy and did not require subsequent treatment by 5 years (N = 80), the probability of not requiring additional treatment for an additional 2 years was 95.7% (95% CI: 91.0%–100%). Patients treated with anti‐PD‐1 regimens off clinical trials who survive at least 5 years from initial anti‐PD‐1 treatment can be reassured of their excellent long‐term prognosis, particularly if they did not require additional melanoma treatment during the first 5 years.