Melanoma Treatments and Mortality Rate Trends in the US, 1975 to 2019

Abstract

ImportanceMelanoma accounts for most of the deaths due to skin cancer. In the past decade, effective US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved therapies for melanoma have emerged.ObjectiveTo review changes in the long-term melanoma mortality rate (MMR) trends in the US and determine whether they have any temporal association with the FDA approval of new agents.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used population data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and retrospectively reviewed the age-adjusted MMR trends in adult patients (aged ≥18 years) from 1975 to 2019 in the US population. The timeline of the FDA approvals for melanoma treatment was also reviewed. Data were analyzed from March 15 to August 15, 2022.ExposuresOutcomes were assessed in association with FDA approval of drugs for the treatment of melanoma.Main Outcomes and MeasuresMortality rates are from the SEER database, reported per 100 000 population and age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. The annual percent change (APC) has been used to report long-term trends.ResultsAfter the introduction of newer treatments in 2011 (most after 2013), a significant reduction in MMR was seen from 2013 to 2017 in the US for the first time in the past 40 years. Rates increased from 1975 to 1988 (APC, 1.65% [95% CI, 1.30%-2.00%]; P < .001). No statistically significant change in MMR was seen from 1988 to 2013 (APC, 0.01% [95% CI, −1.10% to 0.12%]; P = .85). The MMR decreased significantly from 2013 to 2017 (APC, −6.28% [95% CI, −8.52% to −3.97%]; P < .001).Conclusions and RelevanceThese findings suggest a benefit associated with the availability of effective therapies in the past decade and further suggest that the use of new pharmacological therapies is associated with decreased MMR in the US population. These data are very encouraging and support the continued development of such therapies. Additionally, the accessibility of these treatments and the associated health care costs need to be addressed.