Is earlier better for melanoma checkpoint blockade?

Nat Med. 2018 Nov;24(11):1645-1648. doi: 10.1038/s41591-018-0250-0. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Abstract

A neoadjuvant approach relying on the administration of combined anti-CTLA-4-anti-PD-1 treatment before lymph node surgery is evaluated in two phase 1 trials. Encouraging clinical, pathological and immunological responses to neoadjuvant therapy were observed, suggesting that this concept warrants further exploration; however, any future approach must address the unacceptably high toxicity of the regimens evaluated in these trials.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CTLA-4 Antigen / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / immunology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / surgery
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology

Substances

  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • CTLA4 protein, human
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor