Biomarker analysis of circulating tumor DNA in clinical stage III melanoma patients treated with neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is predictive of recurrence in resected stage III melanoma, yet its role in the neoadjuvant setting for clinical stage III (cSIII) is unclear.

Objective

Assess the association between ctDNA and outcomes following neoadjuvant immunotherapy (IO) + targeted therapy (TT) in cSIII melanoma.

Design

Patients in the NeoACTIVATE study were treated with neoadjuvant IO + TT, underwent lymphadenectomy, and received adjuvant immunotherapy.

Methods

Patients with ctDNA testing performed at baseline, pre- and post-operation were analyzed. Baseline positron emission tomography-computed tomography volumetrics and surgical, major pathological responses (MPR) were assessed.

Results

Thirteen patients had serial ctDNA, 10 (77%) were de

SUBMITTER: Stoff R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12816504 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature