Immune Response And Stage 4 Melanoma

Stage IV melanoma is very difficult to treat. rate of 11.1%, phase 3 study of tremelimumab
Even though stage I melanoma has an excellentwas terminated due to lack of superiority
prognosis; response rate for stage IV melanomacompared to chemotherapy (dacarbazine or
with palliative biotherapies and chemotherapies istemozololomide).  Note that response rate of
only approximately 10%.ipilimumab is comparable to chemotherapy. 
Clinicians and researchers are working hard to findHowever, it is important that prolonged disease
treatment options for patients with stage IVstabilization in the selected subset of responsive
disease.  Despite treatment failure ofpatients is different.  The author explained
radiotherapy and chemotherapy in melanoma,activation of immune system by blocking CTLA-4
they repeatedly note anti-tumor immuneis a double-edged sword.  Ipilimumab has been
responses with regression of metastases orassociated with dose-dependent immune-related
disease stabilization.  These findings imply thatadverse events like enterocolitis and hypophysitis
melanoma is immune-related.with irreversible disability.
I found the article by Dr. Michael Erdmann in theResearchers' next challenge is to prove
February issue of The Lancet Oncology veryipilimumab's superiority to chemo in phase 3 trials
interesting.  He discussed findings from recentand hopefully they can identify biomarkers to
trials on two anti-CTLA-4 agents, ipilimumab andidentify or predict melanoma patients whom will
tremelimumab.  They are bothrespond to these CTLA-4 agents.
immunomodulating antibodies targeting CTLA-4. Erdmann MK, Immunity unleashed in melanoma;
While phase 2 study of ipilimumab has shownLancet Oncol 2010, 11; 108-109
some clinical responses with best overall responseVisit us for more articles like this.