Dr. Johnson on the Need for Novel Biomarkers in Melanoma

In Partnership With:

Partner | Cancer Centers | <b>Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center</b>

Douglas B. Johnson, MD, MSCI, discusses the need to identify novel biomarkers in melanoma.

Douglas B. Johnson, MD, MSCI, assistant professor of medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, clinical director, Melanoma Research Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, discusses the need to identify novel biomarkers in melanoma.

Although biomarkers such as BRAF mutations and PD-​1/PD-L1 have assisted in treatment selection in the melanoma space, identifying additional biomarkers has been challenging, says Johnson.

In particular, it has been difficult to develop a biomarker that can inform when to use anti​–PD-1 monotherapy, combination therapy​, BRAF/MEK inhibition, or next-generation therap​ies ​such as intratumoral injections or tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy.

Ultimately, ​the lack of biomarkers represent​s a major unmet need in the melanoma space, Johnson concludes.