New melanoma immunotherapies: mechanisms of action, efficiency and management of toxicities
Moura, B.; Homicsko, K.; Berthod, G.; Cerottini, J.-P.; Guggisberg, D.; Gaide, O.; Maillard, M.H.; Michielin, O.
Revue Medicale Suisse 11(475): 1108; 1110-1114
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 26152085 Document Number: 681602
In recent years the therapy of metastatic melanoma has been revolutionized from a disease with very few efficient treatment options to one with access to multiple therapies which can impact on patient survival. Two main classes of therapies have been developed: 1. Immunotherapy by immune checkpoint inhibitors and 2. Small molecule inhibitors of the MAPK pathway. Immunotherapies achieved by either inhibition of CTLA-4 or the PD1/PD-Ll axes are impacting the overall survival in an important fraction of patients. In addition, the side effects of these immune therapy approaches require early detection by all the specialists involved as well as early management according to precise guidelines for optimal outcome.