Ipilimumab: a guide to its use in advanced melanoma

Ipilimumab (Yervoy™), a recombinant monoclonal antibody targeted at cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4, is approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma. In a placebo-controlled trial in previously treated patients with advanced melanoma, ipilimumab, without or with an investigational glycoprotein (gp) 100 peptide vaccine, was associated with significantly longer median overall survival than gp100 peptide vaccine monotherapy. The risk of death relative to the gp100 peptide vaccine was reduced by 34% with ipilimumab monotherapy and by 32% with ipilimumab plus gp100 peptide vaccine. Overall survival did not differ significantly between treatment with ipilimumab monotherapy and ipilimumab plus gp100 peptide vaccine. Novel immune-related events that are not typical of other anticancer agents, most commonly dermatologic and gastrointestinal disorders, can occur with ipilimumab, necessitating specific monitoring and management protocols.