title: Beyond CTLA-4: novel immunotherapy strategies for metastatic melanoma.
abstract: The treatment of metastatic melanoma is rapidly evolving. The discovery of BRAF and MEK inhibitors was an important milestone. Unfortunately, although response rates are high, disease progression is universal. Despite the success of IL-2 and adjuvant IFL-α2b, these two agents remained the only approved immunotherapy approaches. In recent years, the use of immunotherapy has drawn attention with the recognition of the mechanisms of tumor immune evasion. Blockade of these mechanisms may improve outcomes. However, the potential adverse events, the optimal use of these modalities, the high cost and the absence of predictive markers remain unmet challenges. Herein, we review the immunotherapy strategies in melanoma, either approved or under evaluation, and present the relevant data concerning their efficacy and safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matikas
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mavroudis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9
keywords: CTLA-4; PD-1; immunotherapy; melanoma; tumor vaccine