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

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

Research output: Contribution to journalLetterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15-20
Number of pages6
JournalPigment Cell and Melanoma Research
Volume37
Issue number1
Early online date2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

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