Ipilimumab and whole brain radiation therapy for melanoma brain metastases Journal Article


Authors: Gerber, N. K.; Young, R. J.; Barker, C. A.; Wolchok, J. D.; Chan, T. A.; Yamada, Y.; Friguglietti, L.; Beal, K.
Article Title: Ipilimumab and whole brain radiation therapy for melanoma brain metastases
Abstract: Brain metastases (BM) frequently develop in patients with melanoma and are associated with a poor prognosis. Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is a standard intervention for intracranial disease, particularly in patients with multiple BM. Ipilimumab improves survival in patients with advanced melanoma. The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of concurrent WBRT and ipilimumab. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 13 consecutive patients treated with WBRT within 30 days of ipilimumab administration. Radiographic response, as measured by serial magnetic resonance imaging scans post-treatment, was graded by modified World Health Organization (mWHO) and immune-related response criteria (irRC) in the 9 patients with follow-up imaging. Treatment-related toxicity was prospectively assessed during treatment. Four of nine patients (44 %) experienced partial response or stable central nervous system (CNS) disease as measured by mWHO criteria. This number increased to 5 patients (56 %) when irRC criteria were used. Rates of treatment-related neurologic toxicity were low with only one patient experiencing grade 3–4 neurologic toxicity. There was a high rate of intratumoral hemorrhage in this patient population, with 10 of 10 patients with post-treatment imaging demonstrating new or increased intratumoral bleeding after WBRT. This retrospective study demonstrates that the primary pattern of CNS response to WBRT and ipilimumab is stable disease and not regression of BM. Furthermore, while the combination of WBRT and ipilimumab may offer promising efficacy, prospective studies are needed to further assess efficacy and toxicity.
Keywords: ipilimumab; melanoma; immunotherapy; brain metastases; whole brain radiotherapy
Journal Title: Journal of Neuro-Oncology
Volume: 121
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0167-594X
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2015-01-01
Start Page: 159
End Page: 165
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s11060-014-1617-9
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 25273687
PMCID: PMC4955922
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 2 March 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Timothy Chan
    317 Chan
  2. Robert J Young
    228 Young
  3. Jedd D Wolchok
    905 Wolchok
  4. Yoshiya Yamada
    479 Yamada
  5. Kathryn Beal
    221 Beal
  6. Naamit Kurshan Gerber
    19 Gerber
  7. Christopher Barker
    218 Barker