RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Combining targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of metastatic melanoma
JF Cancer Biology and Medicine
JO Cancer Biol Med
FD China Anti-Cancer Association
SP 237
OP 246
DO 10.7497/j.issn.2095-3941.2014.04.002
VO 11
IS 4
A1 Kim Teresa
A1 Rodabe N. Amaria
A1 Christine Spencer
A1 Alexandre Reuben
A1 Zachary A. Cooper
A1 Jennifer A. Wargo
YR 2014
UL http://www.cancerbiomed.org/content/11/4/237.abstract
AB Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and has an incidence that is rising faster than any other solid tumor. Metastatic melanoma treatment has considerably progressed in the past five years with the introduction of targeted therapy (BRAF and MEK inhibitors) and immune checkpoint blockade (anti-CTLA4, anti-PD-1, and anti-PD-L1). However, each treatment modality has limitations. Treatment with targeted therapy has been associated with a high response rate, but with short-term responses. Conversely, treatment with immune checkpoint blockade has a lower response rate, but with long-term responses. Targeted therapy affects antitumor immunity, and synergy may exist when targeted therapy is combined with immunotherapy. This article presents a brief review of the rationale and evidence for the potential synergy between targeted therapy and immune checkpoint blockade. Challenges and directions for future studies are also proposed.