Disparities of Immunotherapy Utilization in Patients with Stage III Cutaneous Melanoma: A National Perspective.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Immunotherapy combined with surgery is associated with better survival than surgery alone in patients with advanced melanoma. This study examined the utilization of immunotherapy in relation to population characteristics and the associated survival benefit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study utilizing the US National Cancer Database. The study population included 6,165 adult patients (≥18 years) with stage III cutaneous melanoma (median follow-up=32 months).

RESULTS: A total of 1,854 patients underwent immunotherapy in addition to surgery, which was associated with a survival benefit over surgery alone (hazard ratio(HR)=0.66, 95% confidence interval(CI)=0.56-0.77, p<0.001). Older age, presence of comorbidities, Medicaid/Medicare insurance, and living in a community with lower average education level were associated with less immunotherapy utilization (all p<0.05). No statistically significant racial disparity in immunotherapy usage was found (p=0.07).

CONCLUSION: Compared to other demographic factors, insurance status was associated with the greatest disparities in immunotherapy utilization and mortality for patients who underwent surgery for advanced melanoma.