Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 11, 2025
09:11
Y-90 Radioembolization and PD-1 Inhibitor as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: May 24, 2024
801
Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab and High-Dose IFNα-2b in Resectable Regionally Advanced Melanoma
Yana G Najjar1, Dustin McCurry2, Huang Lin3
1UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. najjaryg@upmc.edu ahmad.tarhini@moffitt.org.
Summary
Neoadjuvant high-dose IFNα-2b (HDI) and pembrolizumab showed promising activity in advanced melanoma, with a 43% pathologic complete response (pCR) rate. Achieving pCR was linked to no recurrence, indicating its prognostic value.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Melanoma Research
Background:
- Neoadjuvant immunotherapy offers a method to assess treatment response in advanced melanoma.
- Investigating novel combination therapies is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab combined with high-dose IFNα-2b (HDI) in patients with resectable advanced melanoma.
- To assess the overall response rate (ORR), pathologic complete response (pCR), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS).
Main Methods:
- Concurrent administration of pembrolizumab and HDI followed by definitive surgery.
- Treatment involved intravenous pembrolizumab and HDI, with subsequent subcutaneous HDI.
- Correlative studies analyzed tumor tissue and blood samples for response predictors.
Main Results:
- A radiographic overall response rate (ORR) of 73.3% and a pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of 43% were observed.
- No patients achieving a pCR experienced recurrence.
- High rates of treatment discontinuation were noted for both HDI (73%) and pembrolizumab (43%).
Conclusions:
- Neoadjuvant concurrent HDI and pembrolizumab demonstrated significant clinical activity in advanced melanoma.
- Pathologic complete response (pCR) emerged as a significant prognostic indicator for recurrence-free survival.
- Despite high discontinuation rates, the combination therapy shows promise for improving outcomes in resectable advanced melanoma.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
820
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.
820
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
3.5K
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.5K