Abstract
In the last few years, there has been a twist in cancer treatment toward immunotherapy thanks to the impressive results seen in advanced patients from several tumor pathologies. Cutaneous melanoma is a highly mutated and immunogenic tumor that has been a test field for the development of immunotherapy. However, there is still a way on the road to achieving complete and long-lasting responses in most patients. It is desirable that immunotherapeutic strategies induce diverse immune reactivity specific to tumor antigens, including the so-called neoantigens, as well as the blockade of immunosuppressive mechanisms. In this review, we will go through the role of promising monoclonal antibodies in cancer immunotherapy with immunomodulatory function, especially blocking of the inhibitory immune checkpoints CTLA-4 and PD-1, in combination with different immunotherapeutic strategies such as vaccines. We will discuss the rational basis for these combinatorial approaches as well as different schemes currently under study for cutaneous melanoma in the clinical trials arena. In this way, the combination of “push and release” immunomodulatory therapies can contribute to achieving a more robust and durable antitumor immune response in patients.
Highlights
An important role for the immune system in cancer biology has been proposed for decades
MAbs in Melanoma Combined Immunotherapy which are recognized by the immune system [4]; of tumor infiltration by specific immune populations and their clinical correlation [5]; and of tumor immunoediting including immune escape strategies [6]
The discovery of multiple immune checkpoint mechanisms, either stimulatory or inhibitory pathways of the immune system, which can be targeted with monoclonal antibodies, has burst into intense clinical research
Summary
An important role for the immune system in cancer biology has been proposed for decades. Immunotherapy has been very recently recognized as an effective treatment to control tumor growth and dissemination. MAbs in Melanoma Combined Immunotherapy (neoAgs) which are recognized by the immune system [4]; of tumor infiltration by specific immune populations and their clinical correlation [5]; and of tumor immunoediting including immune escape strategies [6]. Immunotherapeutic approaches including ICKB with mAbs is the fourth cancer treatment modality along with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy/targeted therapy. The use of ICKB has expanded beyond CM and these therapies are approved for the treatment of several metastatic tumors, including renal cell carcinoma, non-small-cell lung carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, urothelial carcinoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma (www.fda.gov/drugs)
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