Leiden University Scholarly Publications

Borgers, J.S.W.; Burgers, F.H.; Schina, A.; Not, O.J. van; Eertwegh, A.J.M. van den; Blank, C.U.; ... ; Haanen, J.B.A.G. (2023)

Seasonal variation of anti-PD-1 outcome in melanoma-Results from a Dutch patient cohort

Article / Letter to editor

Despite the improved survival rates of patients with advanced stage melanoma since the introduction of ICIs, many patients do not have (long-term) benefit from these treatments. There is evidence that the exposome, an accumulation of host-extrinsic factors including environmental influences, could impact ICI response. Recently, a survival benefit was observed in patients with BRAF wild-type melanoma living in Denmark who initiated immunotherapy in summer as compared to winter. As the Netherlands lies in close geographical proximity to Denmark and has comparable seasonal differences, a Dutch validation cohort was established using data from our nationwide melanoma registry. In this study, we did not observe a similar seasonal difference in overall survival and are therefore unable to confirm the Danish findings. Validation of either the Dutch or Danish findings in (combined) patient cohorts from other countries would be necessary to determine whether this host-extrinsic...Show more Despite the improved survival rates of patients with advanced stage melanoma since the introduction of ICIs, many patients do not have (long-term) benefit from these treatments. There is evidence that the exposome, an accumulation of host-extrinsic factors including environmental influences, could impact ICI response. Recently, a survival benefit was observed in patients with BRAF wild-type melanoma living in Denmark who initiated immunotherapy in summer as compared to winter. As the Netherlands lies in close geographical proximity to Denmark and has comparable seasonal differences, a Dutch validation cohort was established using data from our nationwide melanoma registry. In this study, we did not observe a similar seasonal difference in overall survival and are therefore unable to confirm the Danish findings. Validation of either the Dutch or Danish findings in (combined) patient cohorts from other countries would be necessary to determine whether this host-extrinsic factor influences the response to ICI-treatment.
Show less

All authors

Borgers, J.S.W.; Burgers, F.H.; Schina, A.; Not, O.J. van; Eertwegh, A.J.M. van den; Blank, C.U.; Aarts, M.J.B.; Berkmortel, F.W.P.J. van den; Groot, J.W.B. de; Hospers, G.A.P.; Kapiteijn, E.; Piersma, D.; Rijn, R.S. van; Boer, A.M.S.D.; Veldt, A.A.M. van der; Vreugdenhil, G.; Boers-Sonderen, M.J.; Wouters, M.W.J.M.; Suijkerbuijk, K.P.M.; Thienen, J.V. van; Haanen, J.B.A.G.

Date

2023-08-08

Journal

Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research

Volume

37

Issue

1

Pages

15 - 20

DOI

doi:10.1111/pcmr.13117

Link

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pcmr.13117