Immunotherapy

There are a variety of immunotherapy treatments to help patients with treating advanced melanoma. Immunotherapy is the prevention or treatment of disease with substances that stimulate the immune response. It helps a patient’s own immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells on its own. Newer forms of immunotherapy are available only through clinical trials.

 

Ipilimumab for advanced melanoma

· Man-made version of an immune system protein

· Boosts the immune response against melanoma cells

· Given through an IV once every 3 weeks for 4 treatments

· For patients who can’t have melanoma removed by surgery or it has already spread, it can help these patients live several months longer

· Does not cure melanoma

· Helps against cancer cells, but could lead to problems in in the intestines, liver, hormone-making glands, nerves, skin, eyes, or other organs.

· Immune-related side effects occur during treatment, but can last a few months post-treatment

 

Cytokines for advanced melanoma

· Proteins in the body that boost the immune system

· Can either be given via IV or by injection at home

· Helps shrink advanced melanoma (stage 3 & 4) by 10-20%

· Can be given alongside chemotherapy for stage 4 melanoma

· Side effects: flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, aches, sever tiredness, drowsiness, and low blood cell counts), swelling from fluid build up

· Only given in centers with high experience of this treatment

 

Interferon-alpha as adjuvant therapy

· Is used after surgery for patients with thicker melanomas to try to prevent the cells from spreading and growing

· Delays recurrence of melanoma, but not sure yet if it helps improve survival

· Needs to be had in high doses

· Side effects: fever, chills, aches, depression, severe tiredness, and effects on the heart and liver.

· Patients need to be closely watched by doctors greatly experienced in this treatment

 

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine

· Enhances the entire immune system, but is not directed specifically at melanoma cells

· Used to help treat stage 3 melanoma by directly injecting it into tumors

Imiquimod cream

· Stimulates a local immune response against skin cancer cells when applied as a cream

· Can be used for very early stages of melanoma (stage 0) in sensitive areas on the face in place of surgery that could cause disfiguration to the face

· Used for melanomas that have spread along the skin

· Applied anywhere on the body once a day to two times a week for three months

· Patients may have irritation or skin reactions to the cream

· Not used nor recommended for advanced melanomas