Expert Explains Significance of LAG-3 Inhibition in Novel Immunotherapies for Melanoma

Source: Oncology Nursing News, January 2022

The discovery of LAG-3 inhibition may represent the first checkpoint inhibitor in over a decade, explained Hussein A. Tawbi, MD, PhD.

In an interview with Oncology Nursing News®, Tawbi, who is a professor of melanoma medical oncology of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, deputy chair of clinical research, co-director of MD Anderson Brain Metastases Clinic, discussed why the results of the RELATIVITY-047 trial (NCT03470922) are particularly exciting for oncologists working with immunotherapies. Tawbi is lead study author of RELATIVITY-047, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The trial findings revealed that a novel regimen of immune checkpoint inhibitors, relatlimab and nivolumab (Opdivo), yielded encouraging responses among patients with untreated, advanced melanoma, and did not exhibit any new safety signals.