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Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Uveal Melanoma: Current Status and Emerging Therapies

  • Melanoma (RJ Sullivan, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Uveal melanoma is a distinct subset of melanoma with a biology and treatment approach that is unique from that of cutaneous melanoma. Here we will review the current data evaluating immunotherapies in both the adjuvant and metastatic settings in uveal melanoma.

Recent Findings

In the adjuvant setting, interferon demonstrated no survival benefit in uveal melanoma, and studies evaluating immune-based strategies such as vaccine therapy are ongoing. Anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/ PD-L1 blockade in uveal melanoma have been evaluated in several small prospective and/or retrospective studies with rare responses and no overall survival benefit demonstrated. Ongoing studies evaluating combination checkpoint inhibition and other antibody-based therapies are ongoing.

Summary

Although immunotherapy with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 agents has dramatically changed the treatment approach to cutaneous melanoma, its success in uveal melanoma has been much more limited. Clinical trial participation should be prioritized in patients with uveal melanoma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, 177 Fort Washington Avenue, MHB 6GN-435, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Kimberly M. Komatsubara & Richard D. Carvajal

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  1. Kimberly M. Komatsubara
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  2. Richard D. Carvajal
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Correspondence to Richard D. Carvajal.

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Kimberly M. Komatsubara declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Richard D. Carvajal has received compensation from Immunocore, Merck, and Bristol-Myers Squibb for service as a consultant.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Melanoma

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Komatsubara, K.M., Carvajal, R.D. Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Uveal Melanoma: Current Status and Emerging Therapies. Curr Oncol Rep 19, 45 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-017-0606-5

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