Dr Possik on the Importance of Diversity and Equity in Melanoma Research

Patricia A. Possik, PhD, assistant investigator, Division of Cellular Biology, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, discusses the importance of efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in melanoma research, including how a more diverse research landscape can influence the efficacy and relevance of treatment approaches in acral lentiginous melanoma.

Clinical studies in patients with melanoma, particularly those that were pivotal for approving current targeted and immune therapies, predominantly consist of White patients and have been conducted in higher-income countries like the United States, Australia, and Europe, Possik begins. This limited representation raises concerns about the generalizability of therapeutic benefits to diverse global populations, Possik states. Furthermore, drug approvals in countries not represented in these trials are granted without certainty of similar benefits within their own populations, she adds. This issue is particularly worrisome considering potential differences in responses between populations due to genetic variations and variations in melanoma presentation, Possik emphasizes.

For instance, acral melanoma, an aggressive subtype of cutaneous melanoma, is more prevalent in non-White populations, such as African or Asian patients, as well as ethnic groups such as Latin Americans, Possik notes. Unfortunately, clinical studies on cutaneous melanoma often overlook these specific patient populations due to their rarity in European and American populations, she says.

By recognizing acral melanoma as an understudied disease, more efforts are being made to address this knowledge gap, Possik continues. The melanoma community is actively working towards greater diversity in melanoma research by initiating specific clinical trials for acral melanoma, she says. Such approaches extend beyond clinical trials to support research focusing on understanding the genetics of acral melanoma and developing experimental models for this subtype. This comprehensive strategy aims to bridge the gap in knowledge and therapeutic strategies for acral melanoma, reflecting a collective commitment to advancing melanoma research with a more inclusive and representative approach, Possik concludes.