Reviewed by: Jedd D. Wolchok, MD, PhD Weill Cornell Medicine
Immunotherapy has dramatically shifted the treatment landscape for melanoma, significantly enhancing survival rates and offering new hope to those battling this formidable form of skin cancer. Although melanoma represents a relatively small percentage of all skin cancer diagnoses, it’s the leading cause of skin cancer deaths, largely because of its propensity to spread beyond the skin to other organs.
The advent of checkpoint inhibitors has been a game-changer, particularly for those facing metastatic melanoma, marking a pivotal shift towards more optimistic outcomes for patients. It’s anticipated that there will be over 100,000 new cases of melanoma in the United States in 2024, with an estimated 8,200 expected to die because of melanoma. Men are at a higher risk of diagnosis than women.
Remarkably, the death rates from melanoma have been on a significant decline between 2013 and 2017, a testament to the progress in treatment methodologies. This positive trajectory highlights the impact of early detection and the introduction of innovative therapies like immunotherapy, contributing to a more hopeful future for individuals diagnosed with melanoma.
Melanoma arises in the pigment-producing cells of the skin, known as melanocytes, but can also form in the eye—a condition known as uveal melanoma. The primary risk factor for developing melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or artificial sources, such as tanning beds. Early detection is pivotal for improving survival rates, as melanoma tends to metastasize more rapidly than other types of skin cancer.
Immunotherapy leverages the body’s immune system to identify and attack cancer cells, marking a significant shift from traditional treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. The FDA has approved several immunotherapy treatments for melanoma, targeting various aspects of the immune response:
Despite the recent advancements in FDA-approved melanoma therapies, many advanced metastatic melanoma patients still face a significant mortality risk. The aggressive nature of this disease sustains an urgent need for more successful, effective melanoma immunotherapies.
With melanoma’s profound impact on lives worldwide, Melanoma Awareness Month begins on May 1st. This observance is dedicated to amplifying awareness, offering unwavering support to those affected, and underscoring the necessity for ongoing research and clinical trials. It’s a time to unite in our efforts to combat melanoma, encouraging early detection, prevention, and the development of more effective treatments.
Research into immunotherapy for melanoma continues to evolve, with CRI playing a crucial role in funding innovative studies. The organization has supported the development of breakthrough treatments through clinical trials, enhancing our understanding of melanoma and how best to fight it.
A recent study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that immunotherapy improves survival rates for many melanoma patients. Specifically, treatments like PD-1 inhibitors have increased the 5-year survival rate for advanced melanoma patients to approximately 50%. The effectiveness of immunotherapy can vary, influenced by factors such as the tumor’s characteristics and the patient’s immune response.
The duration of immunotherapy for melanoma depends on the patient’s response to treatment and the specific drugs used. Some patients may receive immunotherapy for two years, while others might continue as long as they are benefiting from the treatment without severe side effects.
The frequency of immunotherapy administration can vary widely depending on the specific regimen. Common schedules include every two, three, or four weeks. The exact schedule is determined by the type of immunotherapy used, the patient’s health status, and how well the cancer responds to treatment.
The “best” immunotherapy for melanoma depends on various factors, including the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health. Commonly used and effective treatments include checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab (Keytruda), nivolumab (Opdivo), and ipilimumab (Yervoy), sometimes used in combination for enhanced effectiveness.
While often less severe than chemotherapy, side effects can range from mild to severe and may include fatigue, skin rash, itchiness, flu-like symptoms, and more serious conditions like organ inflammation. The severity of side effects varies from patient to patient, and close monitoring by healthcare providers is essential to manage them effectively.
For more than three decades, CRI has funded laboratory and clinical research into the development of melanoma immunotherapies—granting nearly $38 million to the fight against this deadly skin cancer. This financial support has effectively funded more than 35 clinical trials enrolling roughly 750 melanoma patients, helping to advance the field of treatment through better insight and understanding of the disease.
Melanoma is a core focus of ongoing immunotherapy research done by CRI scientists. With the help of our donor community, our organization continues to support innovative research in melanoma immunotherapy—from lab to clinic to cures.
See what melanoma-specific research we’re currently funding. With your help, we can fund more research and revolutionize the way melanoma is treated—saving more lives.
As we continue to make strides in immunotherapy research, the support of our community remains invaluable. With each donation, we edge closer to turning the tide against melanoma, moving towards a future where this cancer can be effectively managed or even cured.
Explore more about melanoma-specific research funded by CRI and how you can contribute to this cause. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by melanoma.
Of all skin cancers are melanoma
Year FDA approved CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitor treatment
Newly diagnosed patients each year globally
Support the pioneering work of CRI in advancing immunotherapy.
Targeted antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that can be customized to target specific markers on cancer cells, in order to disrupt cancerous activity, especially unrestrained growth. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are equipped with anti-cancer drugs that they can deliver to tumors. Bi-specific T cell-engaging antibodies (BiTEs) bind both cancer cells and T cells in order to help the immune system respond more quickly and effectively. Antibody targets under evaluation in melanoma clinical trials include:
Cancer vaccines are designed to elicit an immune response against tumor-specific or tumor-associated antigens, encouraging the immune system to attack cancer cells bearing these antigens. Cancer vaccines can be made from a variety of components, including cells, proteins, DNA, viruses, bacteria, and small molecules. Cancer vaccine targets under evaluation in melanoma clinical trials include:
Adoptive cell therapy takes a patient’s own immune cells, expands or otherwise modifies them, and then reintroduces them to the patient, where they can seek out and eliminate cancer cells. In CAR T cell therapy, T cells are modified and equipped with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that enable superior anti-cancer activity. Natural killer cells (NKs) and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can also be enhanced and reinfused in patients. Cell-based immunotherapy targets under evaluation in melanoma clinical trials include:
Immunomodulators manipulate the “brakes” and “gas pedals” of the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors target molecules on immune cells to unleash new or enhance existing immune responses against cancer. Cytokines regulate immune cell maturation, growth, and responsiveness. Adjuvants can stimulate pathways to provide longer protection or produce more antibodies. Immunomodulator targets under evaluation in melanoma clinical trials include:
