Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
09:38
Minimally Invasive Isolated Limb Perfusion (MI-ILP) for Locally Advanced Melanomas and Sarcomas of the Extremity
Published on: January 31, 2025
Ipilimumab for metastatic melanoma.
J Ozao-Choy1, R D Carvajal, O Hamid
1John Wayne Cancer Institute - Surgical Oncology, Los Angeles, California, USA. ohamid@theangelesclinic.org.
Drugs of Today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998)
|June 30, 2012
Summary
Metastatic melanoma has a poor prognosis, but ipilimumab, a new immunotherapy, offers hope. This drug targets cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) to boost the immune response against advanced melanoma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Malignant melanoma is a common cancer with a dismal prognosis for metastatic disease.
- Current 5-year mortality rates for metastatic melanoma exceed 90%.
- Advances in cancer immunology have spurred new immunotherapy strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce ipilimumab, a novel immunotherapy for advanced melanoma.
- To highlight the mechanism of action of ipilimumab targeting CTLA-4.
- To discuss the impact of ipilimumab on melanoma management.
Main Methods:
- Development of a monoclonal antibody, ipilimumab.
- Targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), a negative regulator of immune activity.
- Clinical trials evaluating ipilimumab in advanced melanoma patients.
Main Results:
- Ipilimumab is the first FDA-approved immunotherapy for advanced melanoma.
- Demonstrated overall survival benefit in a phase III clinical trial.
- Represents a significant advancement in melanoma treatment.
Conclusions:
- Ipilimumab signifies a paradigm shift in managing advanced melanoma.
- Its success encourages further research into checkpoint inhibitors.
- Offers a new therapeutic avenue for patients with poor prognoses.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
01:30Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...