The Advances and Challenges of Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Melanoma: A New Era in the Fight Against Skin Cancer

Abstract

The aim of this study is to review the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma, addressing the main modalities, mechanisms, toxicities, adverse effects, and costs. This study is an integrative literature review that analyzes the advances and perspectives of immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma. The research was conducted using Google Scholar, Scielo, and PubMed databases, utilizing the descriptors "Immunotherapy," "Melanoma," "Integrative Oncology," and "Skin Neoplasms." Articles published between 2020 and 2023 in Portuguese or English, with full access and direct relevance to the topic, were included. Theses, dissertations, paid or incomplete articles, and materials outside the established period were excluded. The advancement of personalized therapies in melanoma aims to identify biomarkers that ‘guide the selection of the ideal treatment for each patient. These studies primarily aim to discover markers that can predict the effectiveness of immunotherapy, improving clinical outcomes and reducing risks. Therefore, identifying new predictive biomarkers is essential for the success of these personalized strategies. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of melanoma, offering more effective and personalized options. Despite advances, the identification of predictive biomarkers remains crucial to optimizing outcomes and overcoming therapeutic resistance. Thus, the future points to increasingly targeted and individualized therapies.