ESMO 2026 brought phase 3 data on an individualized mRNA-based therapy for resected melanoma, a histone deacetylase inhibitor combination for advanced melanoma, and updated survival results for adjuvant cemiplimab in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Dr Rodrigo Munhoz selects the key abstracts shaping the melanoma and skin cancer landscape.
Across the field of skin cancers at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026, key studies explored individualized neoantigen therapy, immunotherapy combinations and strategies to reduce recurrence. Below, Dr Rodrigo Munhoz (Oncology Center – Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil) highlights the key studies of particular clinical interest. The phase 3 INTerpath-001, HBI-8000-303 and C-POST trials reported data on adjuvant and advanced disease treatment, while STARBOARD investigated targeted therapy plus immunotherapy in BRAF V600-mutant melanoma and NADINA provided three-year follow-up of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable stage III disease.
INTerpath-001: Individualized mRNA-based neoantigen therapy in resected melanoma
Abstract LBA1 | NCT05933577 | Phase 3
INTerpath-001 evaluated intismeran autogene, an individualized mRNA-based neoantigen therapy, plus pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone as adjuvant treatment for resected stage IIB-IV melanoma. At a median follow-up of 24.6 months, the combination reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42% (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.45–0.75; P<0.001). The 24-month recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was 82.2% versus 70.0%, while distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was also improved (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.45–0.85; P=0.002). Overall survival (OS) data remained immature.
Key clinical takeaway
INTerpath-001 demonstrated improved RFS and DMFS with the addition of an individualized mRNA-based neoantigen therapy to pembrolizumab. Longer follow-up is needed to establish whether these benefits translate into improved OS.
HBI-8000-303: Phase 3 results for HBI-8000 plus nivolumab in advanced melanoma
Abstract LBA54 | Phase 3 | NCT04674683
HBI-8000-303 investigated whether adding the oral histone deacetylase inhibitor HBI-8000 to nivolumab could improve outcomes in previously untreated unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 11.7 months with HBI-8000 plus nivolumab versus 7.4 months with nivolumab plus placebo (HR, 0.73; 96% CI, 0.56–0.95; P=0.014). Objective response rates were 41.4% and 32.3%, respectively. Grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 54.8% versus 17.9% of patients. OS data remained immature.
Key clinical takeaway
The combination improved PFS compared with nivolumab alone, but the higher rate of grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events is an important consideration when assessing its potential clinical role.
STARBOARD: Phase 3 evaluation of encorafenib, binimetinib and pembrolizumab in BRAF V600-mutant advanced melanoma
Abstract 2071O | Phase 3 | NCT04657991
STARBOARD compared encorafenib plus binimetinib plus pembrolizumab with pembrolizumab alone in previously untreated unresectable locally advanced or metastatic BRAF V600-mutant melanoma. The objective response rate was 70.0% with the triplet versus 32.7% with pembrolizumab alone. Median PFS was 33.0 months versus 3.4 months, respectively (HR, 0.33; 90% CI, 0.24–0.46; P<0.0001). OS data remained immature (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.48–1.05). Grade 3–4 treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 70.0% versus 39.1% of patients.
Key clinical takeaway
STARBOARD reported improved response rates and PFS with combined BRAF/MEK inhibition and pembrolizumab. The higher incidence of severe adverse events and immature OS data remain important considerations when evaluating this approach.
NADINA: Three-year outcomes with neoadjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab in resectable stage III melanoma
Abstract 2076RO | Phase 3 | NCT04949113
NADINA compared neoadjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab followed by surgery and response-adapted adjuvant therapy with surgery followed by adjuvant nivolumab in resectable stage III melanoma. At 36 months, event-free survival was 72.9% with neoadjuvant treatment versus 50.0% with adjuvant nivolumab (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.31–0.59; P<0.0001). Three-year DMFS was 75.3% versus 57.4%, respectively (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.32–0.66; P<0.0001).
Key clinical takeaway
The follow-up supports the durability of the event-free and distant metastasis-free survival benefits associated with neoadjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab. The response-adapted strategy also highlights the potential importance of pathological response in informing postoperative treatment decisions.
C-POST: Updated overall survival and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analyses of adjuvant cemiplimab in high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Abstract LBA59 | Phase 3 | NCT03969004
C-POST evaluated adjuvant cemiplimab versus placebo following surgery and postoperative radiation in 415 patients with high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). At a median follow-up of 44 months, the OS hazard ratio was 0.63 (95% CI, 0.36–1.11), representing a 37% reduction in the risk of death, although the analysis remained immature. In an exploratory analysis of 191 patients with evaluable baseline circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), cemiplimab improved disease-free survival (DFS) in both minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative patients (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22–0.95) and MRD-positive patients (HR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07–0.86).
Key clinical takeaway
The findings provide longer-term follow-up of adjuvant cemiplimab in high-risk CSCC. The exploratory ctDNA results suggest that baseline MRD status may help characterize recurrence risk, although further validation is needed before using ctDNA to guide treatment decisions.
This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchONCOLOGY. It is not affiliated with the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media. This article was created by the editorial team utilizing AI as an editorial tool (Claude.AI and ChatGPT 5.5). The content was developed and edited by human editors. No funding was received in the publication of this article.
Disclosure: Rodrigo Munhoz has no financial or non-financial conflicts of interest to declare in relation to this article.
Cite: ESMO 2026 dermatological cancers round-up: Five trials in focus. touchONCOLOGY. 30th October 2026.
Editor: Sophie Nickelson
