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Published on: February 16, 2015
Advances in the treatment of metastatic melanoma: adoptive T-cell therapy
Chantale Bernatchez1, Laszlo G Radvanyi, Patrick Hwu
1Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA. cbernatc@mdanderson.org
Abstract:
Metastatic melanoma is notoriously resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens. The prospect for newly diagnosed metastatic melanoma patients is grim, with a median survival of less than 1 year. Currently, the only therapies resulting in long-term disease-free intervals, high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) and more recently anti-CTLA-4, work through activation of the immune system. However, with both therapies the response rate is low. Advances in our knowledge of how the immune system interacts with cancer have led to a number of strategies to manipulate anti-tumor immune responses through immunotherapy. This review will focus on one avenue of immunotherapy using the transfer of T cells referred to as "adoptive cell therapy" (ACT), which involves the ex vivo expansion of autologous tumor-specific T cells to large numbers that are ultimately transferred back to the patient to boost anti-tumor immunity. This approach has been shown to be effective in the treatment of virally induced cancers, as well as metastatic melanoma. Recent successes with ACT hold promise and further emphasize the tremendous potential benefit of harnessing the immune system in the fight against cancer.
Insights
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) transfers expanded tumor-specific T cells to boost anti-tumor immunity. This immunotherapy shows promise for treating metastatic melanoma, a cancer resistant to traditional treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Metastatic melanoma exhibits resistance to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Current treatments offer limited long-term survival for patients with metastatic melanoma.
- Existing immunotherapies like high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) and anti-CTLA-4 activate the immune system but have low response rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review adoptive cell therapy (ACT) as an immunotherapy strategy for cancer.
- To highlight the potential of ACT in treating metastatic melanoma.
- To discuss the mechanism of harnessing the immune system against cancer through ACT.
Main Methods:
- Focuses on adoptive cell therapy (ACT), a method involving ex vivo expansion of autologous tumor-specific T cells.
- Describes the transfer of these expanded T cells back to the patient to enhance anti-tumor immune responses.
- Reviews existing literature on ACT's effectiveness in viral cancers and metastatic melanoma.
Main Results:
- ACT has demonstrated effectiveness in treating virally induced cancers.
- This approach has also shown efficacy in managing metastatic melanoma.
- Recent advancements in ACT underscore its potential as a powerful anti-cancer strategy.
Conclusions:
- Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) represents a promising immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma.
- Harnessing the patient's immune system through ACT offers a novel therapeutic avenue.
- ACT holds significant potential for improving outcomes in cancer treatment.
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