The Combination of Anti-PD-1 With Radiotherapy in Previously Untreated Metastatic Melanoma

Summary

Currently, the first line treatment options for surgically unresectable metastatic melanoma includes anti-PD1 agents such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab. In western countries, UV associated cutaneous melanoma has 30-40% response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, response rates are lower in Asians. The reason for this discrepancy is attributed to the difference in subtypes since most of the Asian patients are mostly subgrouped as acral lentiginous or mucosal types that are unrelated to UV exposures. Thus, there is an unmet need to bolster the effect of ICIs in these patients. The combination of radiotherapy with ICIs have been demonstrated by several pre-clinical studies. High dose radiation has shown to promote STING pathway which activates dendritic cells needed in priming phase. In addition, low dose radiation may activate macrophage differentiation. These mechanisms in turn may enhance responses to immunotherapy. In this study, the investigators aim to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of anti-PD-1 blockade in combination with radiotherapy in surgically unresectable, treatment naive metastatic melanoma.

Timeline

Start

2019-07-03

Primary completion

2022-07

Completion

2022-07

Publications

• Lee J, Chang JS, Roh MR, Jung M, Lee CK, Oh BH, Chung KY, Koom WS, Shin SJ. Clinical Outcomes of Immune Checkpoint Blocker Therapy for Malignant Melanoma in Korean Patients: Potential Clinical Implications for a Combination Strategy Involving Radiotherapy. Cancer Res Treat. 2020 Jul;52(3):730-738. doi: 10.4143/crt.2019.598. Epub 2020 Feb 13.
• Kim HJ, Chang JS, Roh MR, Oh BH, Chung KY, Shin SJ, Koom WS. Effect of Radiotherapy Combined With Pembrolizumab on Local Tumor Control in Mucosal Melanoma Patients. Front Oncol. 2019 Sep 4;9:835. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00835. eCollection 2019.

Drugs

Indications