Real-world management of adjuvant systemic melanoma therapy: Multi-center survey of 51 DeCOG skin cancer centers

Reitmajer M, Livingstone E, Heinzerling L, Thoms KM, Meiss F, Heppt M, Gesierich A, Drexler K, Meier F, Schlaak M, Forschner A, Zimmer L (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft Wiley-Blackwell

DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15963

Abstract

Background: Adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and targeted therapy (TT) have revolutionized treatment management for patients with melanoma. However, the current German S3 guideline does not differentiate between patients with and without adjuvant therapy in its recommendations for imaging intervals and follow-up monitoring, leading to variability in clinical practice. This study provides an overview of surveillance practices among skin cancer centers in the German Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group (DeCOG). Methods: A survey was sent to 80 skin cancer centers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on November 22, 2023. Responses received by March 10, 2024 were analyzed descriptively. Results: Fifty-one responses (64%) were received. Forty centers (78%) reported deviations from the guideline. In stage IIB, 34 centers (67%) conduct imaging including CT scans prior to and after adjuvant therapy. Post-adjuvant therapy, 36 centers (71%) conduct imaging according to the guideline. Over 90% of the centers offer adjuvant ICI therapy if progression occurs on adjuvant TT and vice versa. In stage IV, after relapse while on adjuvant ICI, 32 centers (63%) would offer adjuvant TT. Conclusions: Surveillance practices differed among participating centers and often do not align with the current guideline. A consensus based consistent approach would benefit both patients and physicians.

Authors with CRIS profile

Markus Heppt Department of Dermatology

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Tübingen DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Essen DE Germany (DE) Klinikum der Universität München (LMU Klinikum) DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Göttingen DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Freiburg DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Würzburg DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Regensburg DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden DE Germany (DE) Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Reitmajer, M., Livingstone, E., Heinzerling, L., Thoms, K.M., Meiss, F., Heppt, M.,... Zimmer, L. (2025). Real-world management of adjuvant systemic melanoma therapy: Multi-center survey of 51 DeCOG skin cancer centers. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddg.15963

MLA:

Reitmajer, Markus, et al. "Real-world management of adjuvant systemic melanoma therapy: Multi-center survey of 51 DeCOG skin cancer centers." Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (2025).

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