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Immunotherapy in the management of melanoma: current status

Authors Alston D, Brewer J

Received 25 September 2012

Accepted for publication 24 October 2012

Published 26 February 2013 Volume 2013:2 Pages 1—10

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/ITT.S30824

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4



Dylan Alston,1 Jerry D Brewer2

1Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, 2Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

Abstract: As the rate of melanoma continues to increase, so does the need for more effective and durable therapies. Despite considerable research, the management of advanced disease remains challenging. Numerous therapies are being investigated, many of which aim at upregulating the immune system's innate ability to attack the tumor. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 antibodies are immune stimulants that act as negative regulators of the immune system by modifying an antitumor T-cell response. Ipilimumab, one such cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 antibody, and vemurafenib, a BRAF competitive inhibitor, were approved as first-line therapies in 2011 due to improved survival rates versus standard chemotherapy. Allovectin-7 is a lipid plasmid that encodes for major histone compatibility complex DNA sequences. It has led to increases in cytotoxic T-cell production, which subsequently attacks the tumor. OncoVEX, an oncolytic herpes virus, and PV-10, a chemoablative agent, have yielded promising results in metastatic lesions and have demonstrated a unique "bystandarder" phenomenon. In this paper we review the basics of melanoma from the pathophysiology, risk factors, signs, diagnostic approaches, and current status of immunologic management of melanoma.

Keywords:
melanoma, immunotherapy, ipilimumab, vemurafenib, OncoVEX, Allovectin-7

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