Conference Coverage

Pembrolizumab monotherapy effective for rare melanoma


 

FROM AACR 2023

Study details and adverse events

Twenty-seven patients were enrolled in the study; 93% were male, all were White, and 22% had elevated baseline lactate dehydrogenase. About 63% had disease located in the head and neck area, 33% experienced a complete response (P < .001), and 56% had a partial response for an ORR of 89%. The result surpassed the primary endpoint target of at least a 20% complete response rate.

The 2-year progression-free survival was 74%, and 2-year overall survival was 89%. The most common toxicities were fatigue (56%), diarrhea (33%), maculopapular rash (30%), pruritus (22%), anemia (19%), arthralgia (19%), and decreased lymphocyte count (19%). There were two grade 4 adverse events: a lipase increase and a lung infection accompanied by sepsis.

The researchers also carried out whole exome sequencing of biopsies and found that 67% had NF-1 loss of function mutations.

Dr. Aroglu has served on advisory boards for Pfizer, Array, Eisai, Genentech, Natera, Novartis, OncoSec, and Regeneron. She has received research support from Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, and Novartis. Dr. Kendra has received institutional support from Bristol Myers-Squibb and trial support from CheckMate Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Immunocore, Medspace, Merck, Novartis, and Varian Medical Systems. Dr. Van Tine has financial relationships with a wide range of pharmaceutical companies.

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