Ocular melanoma immunotherapy trials lacking

New clinical trials are needed as incidence-based mortality worsen

Over the past 2 decades, incidence-based mortality has worsened for patients with ocular melanoma and orbit melanoma, according to a study.

Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, researchers analyzed the incidence-based mortality trends of ocular and orbit melanoma from 2000 to 2018 in the United States.

Caucasian/White patients, followed by African American/Black and Asian/Pacific Islander patients, had the highest incidence-based mortality during the study period. The lowest mortality was seen in American Indian/Alaskan native patients.

There was a statistically significant difference in mortality between Caucasian/White patients from 2000 to 2018, and African American/Black and Asian/Pacific Islander patients.

A meaningful trend in mortality could not be determined in the African American/Black and American Indian/Alaskan native patients due to the small sample size.

The authors concluded that Caucasians of both sexes have “a far higher and worsening incidence-based mortality compared to other races,” and highlighted the need for new clinical trials, specifically related to immunotherapies, due to the poor prognosis these patients face.

Reference
Valasapalli S, Guddati AK. Nation-Wide Trends in Incidence-Based Mortality of Patients with Ocular Melanoma in USA: 2000 to 2018. Int J Gen Med. 2021;14:4171-4176. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S299144