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Immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat cutaneous malignancies

Dulce M Barrios1, Mytrang H Do2, Gregory S Phillips3

  • 1Dermatology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|May 29, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are increasingly used for skin cancers like melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. Research is ongoing to improve their effectiveness and identify biomarkers for better patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Rising incidence of cutaneous malignancies necessitates advanced treatment strategies.
  • Immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint inhibitors, shows promise in treating various skin cancers.
  • Need for predictive biomarkers and strategies for managing treatment resistance is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating metastatic melanoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma.
  • To discuss the indications, efficacy, and safety of these immunotherapies.
  • To highlight pivotal studies and ongoing clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • Review of pivotal clinical studies and regulatory approvals for immune checkpoint inhibitors.
  • Analysis of evidence supporting the use of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4, programmed cell death-1, and programmed cell death ligand-1 inhibitors.
  • Discussion of ongoing research in the field.

Main Results:

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated antitumor responses in a significant portion of patients.
  • Several agents (ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, cemiplimab, avelumab) are approved for specific cutaneous malignancies.
  • Evidence supports the efficacy and safety profile of these therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a key therapeutic advance for advanced cutaneous malignancies.
  • Further research is essential for optimizing treatment and addressing refractory cases.
  • Understanding predictive biomarkers will enhance personalized treatment approaches.
Keywords:
CTLA-4 inhibitorKaposi sarcomaMerkel cell carcinomaPD-1 inhibitorPD-L1 inhibitorbasal cell carcinomacheckpoint inhibitorcutaneous lymphomascutaneous malignanciescutaneous squamous cell carcinomaimmunotherapymelanomaskin cancer

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