A systemic complete response of metastatic melanoma to local radiation and immunotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Melanoma is a relatively immunogenic tumor, in which infiltration of melanoma cells by T lymphocytes is associated with a better clinical prognosis. We hypothesized that radiation-induced cell death may provide additional stimulation of an anti-tumor immune response in the setting of anti-CTLA-4 treatment.

Methods

In a pilot melanoma patient, we prospectively tested this hypothesis. We treated the patient with two cycles of ipilimumab, followed by stereotactic ablative radiotherapy to two of seven hepatic metastases, and two additional cycles of ipilimumab.

Results

Subsequent positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan indicated that all metastases, including unirradiated liver lesions and an unirradiated axillary lesion, had completely resolved,

SUBMITTER: Hiniker SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3542835 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature