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Tumor Immunotherapy

Tumor 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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Potentiation of Anticancer Antibody Efficacy by Antineoplastic Drugs: Detection of Antibody-drug Synergism Using the Combination Index Equation

Potentiation of Anticancer Antibody Efficacy by Antineoplastic Drugs: Detection of Antibody-drug Synergism Using the Combination Index Equation

Published on: January 19, 2019

Pembrolizumab for advanced melanoma: experience from the Spanish Expanded Access Program.

M González-Cao¹, A Arance², J M Piulats³

¹Translational Cancer Research Unit, Dr. Rosell Oncology Institute, Quiron Dexeus University Hospital, 08028, Barcelona, Spain. mgonzalezcao@oncorosell.com.

Clinical & Translational Oncology : Official Publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico

|January 6, 2017

Summary

Pembrolizumab, a programmed death (PD-1) inhibitor, demonstrated clinical activity in advanced melanoma patients. This treatment showed durable responses, even in those with brain metastases, confirming its efficacy in real-world settings.

Keywords:

CNS metastases Expanded access program Melanoma Pembrolizumab Survival

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Published on: June 9, 2026

Area of Science:

Oncology
Immunotherapy
Melanoma Research

Background:

Pembrolizumab, a programmed death (PD-1) inhibitor, is approved for advanced melanoma.
The Spanish Expanded Access Program provided access to this treatment for eligible patients.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the clinical activity and outcomes of pembrolizumab in advanced melanoma patients.
To assess the efficacy of pembrolizumab in a real-world clinical setting.

Main Methods:

Retrospective analysis of 67 advanced melanoma patients treated with pembrolizumab (2 mg/kg every three weeks).
Inclusion of patients with asymptomatic brain metastases.
Data collected from 21 centers within the Spanish Melanoma Group.

Main Results:

Median overall survival of 14.0 months and an 18-month survival rate of 47.1% for cutaneous melanoma.
Overall response rate of 27%, with 6.5% complete responses; responses were durable.
Objective response in 40% of patients with brain metastases, including complete responses.

Conclusions:

Pembrolizumab demonstrated confirmed clinical activity in a heavily pretreated advanced melanoma cohort.
The treatment showed potential for long-term responses, including in patients with brain metastases.
Efficacy was observed in a real-world clinical setting at the approved dose and schedule.