Abstract
Activation of the immune system is very important step in the treatment strategy of metastatic melanoma and greater understanding of function of the immune checkpoints led to the development of several immune checkpoint inhibitors. Ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody, was the first agent to demonstrate a survival benefit in patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma.
The median OS rate for patients treated with ipilimumab was, compared with patients receiving a gp100 vaccine longer (10.9 versus 6.4 months), and also patients treated with ipilimumab and DTIC compared with those treated with DTIC alone had improved OS (median OS 11.2 versus 9.1 months.) The majority of ipilimumab-related adverse events are immune related, and the most common are gastrointenstinal and skin toxicity, endocrinopathy and hepatotoxicity. New monoclonal antibody against other important immunity checkpoint PD-1 receptor, pembrolizumab and nivolumab, got FDA approval at the end of 2014.
We are approaching the new era of the treatment of melanoma but we cannot say, that we resolved the problem. Further research of biomarkers, combination therapies and also optimal dosing, and duration of treatment is needed.