Rapid Eradication of a Bulky Melanoma Mass with One Dose of Immunotherapy

Abstract

To the Editor: Both ipilimumab(1) (anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 monoclonal antibody) and nivolumab(2) (anti-programmed death 1 monoclonal antibody) have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of metastatic melanoma on the basis of increased progression-free and overall survival. A phase 1 trial of a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab showed that 53% of patients had at least 80% tumor shrinkage.(3) We currently have treated 13 patients with melanoma with this combination as part of an expanded-access program (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02186249), and we have observed a remarkable tumor response in 1 patient. The patient is a 49-year-old . . .