Immunotherapy Combination for Cutaneous Melanoma
Source: The Asco Post, November 2024
Presurgical treatment with the novel drug vidutolimod and the PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab may improve outcomes in patients with stage III cutaneous melanoma, according to a recent study published by Davar et al in Cancer Cell. The findings supported the development of vidutolimod for treating cutaneous melanoma and provided insights that may advance research on this drug for use in other cancer types.
Background
Vidutolimod—not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—is capable of targeting the TLR9 pattern recognition receptor, a protein that plays a critical role in the initiation of innate immune responses to foreign threats. TLR9-targeting agents are often included in drugs and vaccines because of their immune-augmenting effects; however, little is known about how they work in combination with other cancer therapies.
Study Methods and Results
In the single-arm phase II clinical trial, researchers assigned 31 patients with high-risk, resectable stage III cutaneous melanoma to receive seven injections of vidutolimod into their tumors and three rounds of intravenous nivolumab prior to surgery. Following surgery, they continued to receive both drugs every 4 weeks for 1 year.