Ipilimumab for advanced melanoma: experience from the Spanish Expanded Access Program

Area of Science:

• Immunotherapy
• Oncology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Metastatic melanoma has limited treatment options.
• Ipilimumab targets cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4).
• Previous studies indicated ipilimumab improves overall survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate ipilimumab efficacy and safety in a real-world setting.
• To assess ipilimumab in previously treated and untreated metastatic melanoma.
• To identify predictors of survival and analyze outcomes in elderly patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of data from an Expanded Access Program (EAP).
• 153 patients with metastatic melanoma received ipilimumab 3 mg/kg intravenously.
• Data collected via physician questionnaires on demographics, outcomes, and toxicity.

Main Results:

• Median overall survival was 6.5 months; 1-year survival was 32.9%.
• Complete response (CR) in 1.3%, partial response (PR) in 9.6%.
• Predictive factors for survival included lymphocyte count and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Toxicity was mild.

Conclusions:

• Ipilimumab is effective and well-tolerated in advanced melanoma patients in clinical practice.
• Efficacy and tolerability were similar in elderly patients (≥70 years).
• Ipilimumab offers a valuable treatment option for advanced melanoma, improving prognosis.