Dr. Glitza Oliva on Intrathecal/Intravenous Nivolumab in Metastatic Melanoma/Leptomeningeal Disease

Source: OncLive, June 2020

Isabella C. Glitza Oliva, MD, PhD, MS, assistant professor, Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the rationale for concurrent intrathecal (IT) and intravenous (IV) nivolumab (Opdivo) in patients with metastatic melanoma who have leptomeningeal disease.

IT interleukin-2 (IL-2) was used in metastatic melanoma prior to the advent of checkpoint inhibitors, says Glitza Oliva.

IL-2 administered by vein elicited prolonged survival in about 10% to 15% of patients with metastatic melanoma, says Glitza Oliva. However, IT IL-2 administered directly into the spinal fluid is associated with significant toxicities.

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