OBJECTIVES

To investigate treatment patterns in melanoma in UK real-world practice, including choice and duration of treatment, frequency of consultations and how treatment guidelines are applied, and to assess the value of treatment patterns data in close to real-time.

METHODS

Development of the study app, based on bring your own device (BYOD) technology, was informed by feedback from patients and the patient advocacy group Melanoma UK. Patients with any type or stage of melanoma are recruited in collaboration with Melanoma UK. Informed consent is obtained via the study app, and ethics approval has been obtained. Using the app, participants answer a broad range of questions relating to treatment patterns: current and previous treatments (drugs and surgery), where they lived and were treated and the frequency of consultations. The data were analysed using SAS software; statistical analysis aimed to identify correlations between treatment and other patient characteristics, including demographics and ECOG performance status. Current treatment guidelines were identified through a scoping literature review.

RESULTS

The data show that the real-world treatment of melanoma in the UK is broadly consistent with the published guidance, with immunotherapies dominating treatment at stage 4. However, significant differences in treatment patterns at regional levels were identified. Leading treatment centres include the Christie, Royal Marsden and Nottingham Hospitals NHS Trusts. Distance to treatment centres varied considerably across different regions of the UK but there was broad consistency in the frequency of consultations.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of melanoma in the UK real-world setting broadly follows published guidelines. The digital registry offers opportunities to conduct more current and granular analyses than is possible using published literature. The availability of close to real-time data offers the opportunity to quickly identify and address any inequalities and thereby improve care.