INTRODUCTION
Melanoma is a deadly malignancy with rising incidence rates over the past 50 years, especially in fairly complected individuals.1 Since 1975, melanoma incidence in the United States has increased by over 320%.2 While exposure to ultraviolet radiation has been long associated with melanoma, advancements in scientific techniques have led to the identification of genetic alterations as well.2 Mutations involving signaling proteins such as v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) have paved the way for immunotherapeutics and other systemic medications.3
The arsenal of treatments for melanoma includes kinase inhibitors, oncolytic viruses, monoclonal antibodies, and other immune modulators which have improved prognosis and survival in patients with advanced disease.4 However, these treatments are not without downsides that need to be accounted for in the risk-benefit calculation. Side effects are an important consideration that should be discussed between patient and physician fostering trust and preparedness. Therefore, the goal of our study was to capture adverse events frequently reported with melanoma medications to increase our current knowledge of practical side effects experienced in patients.
The arsenal of treatments for melanoma includes kinase inhibitors, oncolytic viruses, monoclonal antibodies, and other immune modulators which have improved prognosis and survival in patients with advanced disease.4 However, these treatments are not without downsides that need to be accounted for in the risk-benefit calculation. Side effects are an important consideration that should be discussed between patient and physician fostering trust and preparedness. Therefore, the goal of our study was to capture adverse events frequently reported with melanoma medications to increase our current knowledge of practical side effects experienced in patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) was used to capture adverse events reported in patients using melanoma medications. We examined 13 out of the 14 medications approved for melanoma on the National Cancer Institute's site. These included aldesleukin, binimetinib, encorafenib, cobimetinib, dabrafenib, dacarbazine, talimogene laherparepvec, recombinant interferon alpha-2b, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide, nivolumab, and vemurafenib. Tebentafusp-tebn was excluded from analysis as its approval was listed for only uveal and ocular melanoma.
Descriptive statistics were performed to capture medications with the highest reaction counts and the most common side
Descriptive statistics were performed to capture medications with the highest reaction counts and the most common side
