Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Response with Checkpoint Inhibitors in Malignant Melanoma of the Vulva and Vagina

Abstract

Objectives The aims of the study were to assess the clinical and histopathological characteristics of a comprehensive cohort of women with vulvovaginal melanoma (VVM) treated at our institution and to study the treatment response of checkpoint inhibitors in this patient cohort. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study of women with invasive VVM treated at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, over a period of 15 years. Clinical and histopathological characteristics, treatment, as well as treatment-related outcome were analyzed in 32 women. Treatment response was evaluated retrospectively using the "response criteria for use in trials testing immunotherapeutics"(iRECIST). The objective response rate was defined as the proportion of patients with complete or partial response based on the best overall response. Results At a median follow-up of 37.8 months (5.8-110.4), 26 women (81.3%) had disease progression and 16 (50%) died. Thirteen patients with locally unresectable or metastatic melanoma were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Ten additional cases were identified from previously published reports. The best objective response rate for immune checkpoint inhibitors was 30.4% (95% CI = 11.6%-49.2%) and the clinical benefit rate was 52.2% (95% CI = 31.8%-72.6%). The clinical benefit rate was significantly better for programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors (or a combination) compared with ipilimumab alone (Fisher exact, p =.023). Grade 3/4 adverse events were observed in 3 (13.0%) of the 23 patients. Conclusions Women with VVM constitute a high-risk group with poor overall prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective in the treatment of metastatic melanoma in this patient cohort.