title: Immune Check Point Inhibitors Combination in Melanoma: Worth the Toxicity?
abstract: The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab and nivolumab has been recently been FDA approved for first line treatment of unresectable and metastatic BRAF wild type melanoma. The approval came following the impressive results of the CheckMate 067, where the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab appeared to outperform each as a single agent in regards to response rate and progression free survival. Though we await final overall survival data, the combination will likely be adapted by many oncologists and integrated into the ever changing melanoma treatment algorithm. In this article we aim to summarize the data leading up to the recent FDA approval and publication by Larkin et al. that presents the results from the CheckMate 067 trial. We will also further explore the feasibility, challenges, and applicability of combination immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia PA, USA. Marlana.Orloff@jefferson.edu.
authors.forename: Marlana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orloff
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weight
authors.forename: Matias E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Valsecchi
authors.forename: Takami
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents