Ipilimumab Adjuvant Therapy for Stage III Melanoma

Recurrence-free survival was improved with ipilimumab versus placebo, but at a cost of significant toxicity.

Ipilimumab was recently shown in a randomized, controlled, phase III trial (EORTC 18071) to significantly improve recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with resected, high-risk, stage III melanoma at a median follow-up of 2.7 years (Lancet Oncol 2015; 16:522). Until that time, adjuvant interferon alfa, a standard of care, had demonstrated only a minimal improvement in overall survival (OS).

Now, investigators have updated results for 951 patients in the EORTC 18071 trial who received ipilimumab (10 mg/kg) or placebo intravenously once every 3 weeks for 12 weeks, and then once every 3 months for up to 3 years or until recurrence or unacceptable toxicity.

At a median 5.3 years of follow-up, 5-year RFS (the primary endpoint) was improved wi…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey A. Sosman, MD

Ipilimumab Adjuvant Therapy for Stage III Melanoma

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Reviewing Author