Digital Monitoring of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities in Melanoma Patients

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that causes nearly 80% of skin cancer–related deaths. While new treatment options with immunotherapy have greatly improved survival for people with melanoma in the last decade, immunotherapy may also cause side effects when the immune system becomes overactive and attacks healthy organs. These immune-related side effects can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, liver, intestines, or heart. Some side effects are mild, but others can be severe and require hospitalization or stopping treatment. Detecting these side effects early is essential to improving outcomes, allowing doctors the ability to correctly alter treatment plans. However, symptoms often develop between clinic visits, and doctors must rely on patients to recognize and report them, which can lead to delays in care. This study will explore whether digital tools can help identify these side effects sooner. We will test a remote monitoring approach that combines patient surveys with wearable devices that track vital signs like heart rate and temperature. Patients with stage II or III melanoma receiving immunotherapy before or after surgery will be invited to use these tools during their treatment. We will analyze patient responses and experiences throughout their participation in this study.

We will measure how often patients use the surveys and devices, how well the data can be integrated into clinic workflows, and whether patients and their care teams find the tools helpful and easy to use. We believe this type of monitoring will make it easier for patients to communicate new symptoms quickly, helping doctors recognize treatment side effects earlier. Results from this project will guide future studies that may lead to new ways of using technology to make melanoma treatment safer and make patients feel more supported.