An analysis of the clinical trial landscape for cutaneous melanoma.

Recognizing current trends and obstacles in melanoma clinical trial development is critical to future progress in this field. This article examines the melanoma research enterprise to identify changing trends and potential barriers to success. All trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov after September 2005 were evaluated for possible inclusion. A total of 777 interventional trials designed specifically for cutaneous melanoma patients were included. Geographic trial distribution as well as disease state and type of intervention were analyzed and compared among each group. ClinicalTrials.gov is an invaluable tool to study the research enterprise. Further studies are needed on prevention and early detection of melanoma in the curative setting, a critical role for dermatologists.