During this webinar, Melissa Wilson, PA-C, MPAS, our host of From the Clinic to the Living Room, welcomes Marlana Orloff, MD, Associate Professor Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University to discuss the new FDA approved KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp-tebn) for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma.
Dr. Marlana Orloff is an associate professor of medicine and medical oncologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital – Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Her clinical and research focus is on primary and advanced melanomas, specifically rare melanomas including uveal , conjunctival, and mucosal melanoma. Her research is centered on discovery of novel therapies for rare melanomas. She is a member of a multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, interventional radiologists, radiation oncologist, ocular oncologists and numerous other essential personnel that treats patients with uveal melanoma from all over the country.
Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive form of eye cancer that affects the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in the treatment and management of this disease. As a result, there has been a shift in the standard of care for uveal melanoma patients.
Traditionally, enucleation or removal of the affected eye was considered the gold standard treatment for uveal melanoma. However, this approach had significant drawbacks as it resulted in loss of vision and had a profound impact on patients' quality of life. With advancements in medical technology and increased understanding of the disease, new treatment modalities have emerged.
One such modality is radiation therapy, specifically plaque brachytherapy. This technique involves placing a radioactive plaque on the surface of the eye near the tumor site. The radiation emitted from these plaques effectively kills cancer cells while sparing healthy surrounding tissues. Plaque brachytherapy has shown promising results in preserving vision and achieving local tumor control.
Another emerging treatment option is proton beam therapy (PBT). PBT utilizes protons instead of traditional X-rays to deliver radiation to cancerous cells. Protons have unique physical properties that allow for precise targeting and minimal damage to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor site. PBT has demonstrated excellent outcomes in terms of local control rates and preservation of visual function.
In recent years, immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment across various malignancies, including uveal melanoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab have shown remarkable efficacy by enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. These drugs work by blocking proteins that inhibit immune cell activity against cancer cells. Although immunotherapy has shown promise in treating metastatic uveal melanoma, its role as an adjuvant therapy after primary treatment remains under investigation.
Additionally, targeted therapies have emerged as potential options for patients with specific genetic mutations. Approximately 50% of uveal melanoma cases harbor mutations in the GNAQ or GNA11 genes, leading to activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Drugs targeting this pathway, such as selumetinib and trametinib, have shown promising results in clinical trials. However, further research is needed to determine their long-term efficacy and safety.
The new standard of care for uveal melanoma patients involves a multidisciplinary approach that considers individual patient characteristics and tumor features. Treatment decisions are made based on factors such as tumor size, location, genetic profile, and patient preferences. Personalized medicine has become increasingly important in tailoring treatment strategies to optimize outcomes while minimizing side effects.
The standard of care for uveal melanoma patients has evolved significantly over time. Enucleation has been replaced by more conservative treatment modalities such as plaque brachytherapy and proton beam therapy that aim to preserve vision and improve quality of life. Immunotherapy and targeted therapies offer new hope for patients with advanced disease or specific genetic mutations. Moving forward, continued research and collaboration among healthcare professionals will be crucial in further refining treatment approaches for uveal melanoma patients.
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