Combined Immune Checkpoint Therapies Impressive in Advanced Melanoma

Anti–CTLA-4 and anti–PD-1 therapeutics (ipilimumab and nivolumab, respectively) have demonstrated success in treatment of advanced melanoma. CTLA-4 inhibits T cells early in the sequence of activation, and PD-1 leads to later T-cell exhaustion in peripheral tissues. In previous preclinical studies, combined antagonism of both PD-1 and CTLA-4 led to more substantial antitumor activity than blockade of either pathway alone. In this Phase I trial, investigators assessed the synergy of combining nivolumab and ipilimumab in clinical use.

Of 86 patients, 53 (concurrent-regimen group) received 4 combined intravenous doses 3 weeks apart, followed by nivolumab alone every 3 weeks for 4 doses, followed by up to 8doses of combined treatment. The sequen…