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Clinical utility of nivolumab in the treatment of advanced melanoma
Authors Asmar R, Yang J, Carvajal RD
Received 12 October 2015
Accepted for publication 21 December 2015
Published 26 February 2016 Volume 2016:12 Pages 313—325
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S78039
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
Editor who approved publication: Professor Garry Walsh
Ramsey Asmar,1 Jessica Yang,1 Richard D Carvajal1,2
1Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 2Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
Abstract: Melanomas are highly immunogenic tumors that evade the immune system by exploiting innate checkpoint pathways, rendering effector T-cells anergic. The immunotherapeutic approach of checkpoint inhibition can restore and invigorate endogenous antitumor T-cell responses and has become an important treatment option for patients with advanced melanoma. The CTLA-4 inhibitor ipilimumab and the PD-1 inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab have been shown to induce durable responses and improve overall survival in metastatic, refractory melanoma. Optimization and validation of pretreatment biomarkers to predict response to these agents is a crucial area of ongoing research. Combination immunotherapy has recently demonstrated superior response rates compared to monotherapy; further investigation is needed to refine combinatorial strategies.
Keywords: nivolumab, immune checkpoint inhibitors, PD-1, melanoma
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