When is it OK to stop anti-programmed death 1 receptor (PD-1) therapy in metastatic melanoma? Review


Authors: Banks, L. B.; Sullivan, R. J.
Review Title: When is it OK to stop anti-programmed death 1 receptor (PD-1) therapy in metastatic melanoma?
Abstract: Systemic therapy for metastatic melanoma has been revolutionized over the past decade with the development of highly effective immune checkpoint inhibition, specifically anti-Programmed Death 1 receptor (PD-1) therapy. However, even though one-third of patients will have durable response to single-agent or combination therapy, the optimal duration of therapy is unknown. Identifying the optimal duration of therapy is important, as exposure to anti-PD-1 therapy increases the risk of developing immune-mediated toxicities that can have significant morbidity and are, at times, fatal. It has long been understood that patients with complete responses to high-dose interleukin-2 and ipilimumab typically maintain their responses after a brief treatment course; thus, it is important to better understand the data to help understand the optimal management of melanoma patients treated with anti-PD-1 therapy. The clinical data with anti-PD-1-based therapy and published data on the duration of therapy suggest that patients may not require a full 2 years of anti-PD-1 therapy and that the risk of toxicity may be mitigated by further understanding the mechanisms and kinetics of response to therapy. Although novel markers to help guide therapeutic decision making are under investigation, there is an ongoing need to improve our tools to monitor response to therapy and disease activity. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Keywords: follow up; cancer immunotherapy; tumor marker; programmed death 1 receptor; metastatic melanoma; clinical trial (topic); disease activity; clinical outcome; multimodal imaging; human; priority journal; article; antineoplastic monoclonal antibody
Journal Title: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
Volume: 21
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1175-0561
Publisher: Adis International Ltd  
Date Published: 2020-06-01
Start Page: 313
End Page: 321
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s40257-020-00506-2
PUBMED: 32026236
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC7276295
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 July 2020 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Lauren Baker Banks
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