Anti-PD-1 therapy for melanoma associated with eczema, vitiligo

Source: Healio.com/Dermatology, January 2016

Anti-programmed cell death-1 therapy for patients with metastatic melanoma was associated with cutaneous adverse events, including lichenoid reactions, eczema and vitiligo, according to recently published study results.

Researchers conducted a prospective and retrospective observational study with unresectable stage IIIC/IV metastatic melanoma treated with Keytruda (pembrolizumab, Merck) or Opdivo (nivolumab, Bristol-Myers Squibb) between May 1, 2012 and Feb. 1, 2015 at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

There were 82 patients (52% male; median age, 61 years) eligible for the study, with 34 assessed by a dermatology team. Medical records of all patients not referred for dermatology review were studied. Fifty-one patients had previously been treated with Yervoy (ipilimumab, Bristol-Myers Squibb).

Forty patients (49%) developed new cutaneous adverse events after the anti-programmed cell death (PD)-1 therapy. Lichenoid reaction (n=14), eczema (n-14) and vitiligo (n=12) were the most frequent lesions. Two patients developed all three, while nine patients developed a combination of two.