2022
T cell characteristics associated with toxicity to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with melanoma
Lozano AX, Chaudhuri AA, Nene A, Bacchiocchi A, Earland N, Vesely MD, Usmani A, Turner BE, Steen CB, Luca BA, Badri T, Gulati GS, Vahid MR, Khameneh F, Harris PK, Chen DY, Dhodapkar K, Sznol M, Halaban R, Newman AM. T cell characteristics associated with toxicity to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with melanoma. Nature Medicine 2022, 28: 353-362. PMID: 35027754, PMCID: PMC8866214, DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01623-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsImmune-related adverse eventsT-cell characteristicsIrAE developmentBlood samplesSevere immune-related adverse eventsAnti-PD-1 monotherapyCombination immune checkpoint inhibitorsT-cell receptor sequencingT cell abundanceCell receptor sequencingOrgan system involvementPeripheral blood samplesIrAE onsetCheckpoint inhibitorsAdverse eventsCheckpoint blockadeRNA sequencingTCR clonalityCombination therapyPatient cohortSystem involvementClinical managementTCR diversityImmunological state
2021
Phase Ib Study of Atezolizumab Plus Interferon-α with or without Bevacizumab in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma and Other Solid Tumors
Blank CU, Wong DJ, Ho TH, Bauer TM, Lee CB, Bene-Tchaleu F, Zhu J, Zhang X, Cha E, Sznol M. Phase Ib Study of Atezolizumab Plus Interferon-α with or without Bevacizumab in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma and Other Solid Tumors. Current Oncology 2021, 28: 5466-5479. PMID: 34940094, PMCID: PMC8700717, DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28060455.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRenal cell carcinomaObjective response ratePEG-interferon α-2aPhase Ib studyInterferon α-2bArm BSolid tumorsCell carcinomaClinical activityΑ-2aΑ-2bIb studyVascular endothelial growth factor inhibitorsFrequent treatment-related toxicitiesHigher objective response rateMetastatic renal cell carcinomaArm DTreatment-related toxicityPreliminary clinical activityGrowth factor inhibitorsMetastatic solid tumorsAcceptable tolerabilityFactor inhibitorsSafety profileCombination therapy
2020
Survival after checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic acral, mucosal and uveal melanoma
Klemen ND, Wang M, Rubinstein JC, Olino K, Clune J, Ariyan S, Cha C, Weiss SA, Kluger HM, Sznol M. Survival after checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic acral, mucosal and uveal melanoma. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2020, 8: e000341. PMID: 32209601, PMCID: PMC7103823, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000341.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCheckpoint inhibitorsOverall survivalMetastatic melanomaPrimary tumorLocal therapyCutaneous melanomaAnti-PD-1 antibodyAggressive multidisciplinary approachCutaneous primary tumorPrimary tumor histologyMedian overall survivalSingle institutional experienceRare melanoma subtypeMedian OSMetastatic diseaseProgressive diseaseAcral skinComplete responsePD-1PD-L1Uveal tractTumor histologyCombination therapyCTLA-4Longer survivalAdenosine 2A Receptor Blockade as an Immunotherapy for Treatment-Refractory Renal Cell Cancer
Fong L, Hotson A, Powderly JD, Sznol M, Heist RS, Choueiri TK, George S, Hughes BGM, Hellmann MD, Shepard DR, Rini BI, Kummar S, Weise AM, Riese MJ, Markman B, Emens LA, Mahadevan D, Luke JJ, Laport G, Brody JD, Hernandez-Aya L, Bonomi P, Goldman JW, Berim L, Renouf DJ, Goodwin RA, Munneke B, Ho PY, Hsieh J, McCaffery I, Kwei L, Willingham SB, Miller RA. Adenosine 2A Receptor Blockade as an Immunotherapy for Treatment-Refractory Renal Cell Cancer. Cancer Discovery 2020, 10: 40-53. PMID: 31732494, PMCID: PMC6954326, DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-19-0980.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsCarcinoma, Renal CellDrug Resistance, NeoplasmFemaleFollow-Up StudiesFuransHumansKidney NeoplasmsMaleMiddle AgedNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalPrognosisPyridinesPyrimidinesReceptor, Adenosine A2ASalvage TherapySurvival RateConceptsRenal cell cancerPretreatment tumor biopsiesClinical responseGene expression signaturesCell cancerTumor biopsiesPD-1/PD-L1 inhibitorsPD-1/PD-L1Refractory renal cell cancerPhase I clinical trialL1 combination therapyRecruitment of CD8Targetable immune checkpointsDurable clinical benefitPD-L1 inhibitorsT cell repertoireAdenosine 2A receptorAntitumor immunityReceptor blockadeImmune checkpointsPD-L1L1 antibodyClinical benefitCombination therapyImmune cells
2017
Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With BRAF V600–Mutant Metastatic Melanoma Who Received Dabrafenib Combined With Trametinib
Long GV, Eroglu Z, Infante J, Patel S, Daud A, Johnson DB, Gonzalez R, Kefford R, Hamid O, Schuchter L, Cebon J, Sharfman W, McWilliams R, Sznol M, Redhu S, Gasal E, Mookerjee B, Weber J, Flaherty KT. Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With BRAF V600–Mutant Metastatic Melanoma Who Received Dabrafenib Combined With Trametinib. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2017, 36: jco.2017.74.102. PMID: 28991513, PMCID: PMC10466457, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.74.1025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBRAF V600-mutant metastatic melanomaProgression-free survivalNormal lactate dehydrogenaseMetastatic melanomaD monotherapyCombination therapyMEK inhibitor combination therapyInhibitor-naive patientsLong-term OSTrametinib combination therapyNew safety signalsBRAF inhibitor dabrafenibInhibitor combination therapyLactate dehydrogenaseIncreased OSC. PatientsOverall survivalComplete responseAdditional patientsTerm outcomesSafety signalsLandmark analysisSafety outcomesOrgan sitesPatientsPooled Analysis Safety Profile of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Combination Therapy in Patients With Advanced Melanoma
Sznol M, Ferrucci PF, Hogg D, Atkins MB, Wolter P, Guidoboni M, Lebbé C, Kirkwood JM, Schachter J, Daniels GA, Hassel J, Cebon J, Gerritsen W, Atkinson V, Thomas L, McCaffrey J, Power D, Walker D, Bhore R, Jiang J, Hodi FS, Wolchok JD. Pooled Analysis Safety Profile of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Combination Therapy in Patients With Advanced Melanoma. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2017, 35: jco.2016.72.116. PMID: 28915085, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.72.1167.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAntibodies, MonoclonalClinical Trials, Phase I as TopicClinical Trials, Phase II as TopicClinical Trials, Phase III as TopicDisease-Free SurvivalDose-Response Relationship, DrugDrug Administration ScheduleDrug Therapy, CombinationFemaleHumansIpilimumabMaleMaximum Tolerated DoseMelanomaMiddle AgedNeoplasm InvasivenessNeoplasm StagingNivolumabPatient SafetyPrognosisRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRetrospective StudiesSkin NeoplasmsSurvival AnalysisConceptsTreatment-related adverse eventsTreatment-related select adverse eventsSelect adverse eventsAdverse eventsImmune-modulating agentsAdvanced melanomaMedian timeSafety profileResolution rateGrade 3/4 treatment-related adverse eventsTreatment-related grade 3/4 adverse eventsGrade 3/4 adverse eventsDose of nivolumabIpilimumab combination therapyProgression-free survivalEndocrine adverse eventsAddition of nivolumabGrade 3/4AE managementMedian durationUnacceptable toxicityAntitumor responseCombination therapyStudy deathsDisease progression
2016
Efficacy and Safety of Nivolumab Alone or in Combination With Ipilimumab in Patients With Mucosal Melanoma: A Pooled Analysis
D'Angelo SP, Larkin J, Sosman JA, Lebbé C, Brady B, Neyns B, Schmidt H, Hassel JC, Hodi FS, Lorigan P, Savage KJ, Miller WH, Mohr P, Marquez-Rodas I, Charles J, Kaatz M, Sznol M, Weber JS, Shoushtari AN, Ruisi M, Jiang J, Wolchok JD. Efficacy and Safety of Nivolumab Alone or in Combination With Ipilimumab in Patients With Mucosal Melanoma: A Pooled Analysis. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2016, 35: 226-235. PMID: 28056206, PMCID: PMC5559888, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.67.9258.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedian progression-free survivalObjective response rateProgression-free survivalMucosal melanomaCutaneous melanomaNivolumab monotherapyAnti-programmed death-1 therapyResponse rateTreatment-related adverse eventsSafety of nivolumabPhase III trialsRare melanoma subtypeNivolumab AloneAdverse eventsIII trialsSafety profileAggressive malignancyCombination therapyConventional therapyPooled analysisPoor responseClinical studiesGrade 3IpilimumabMelanoma subtypes
2015
Combined Nivolumab and Ipilimumab or Monotherapy in Untreated Melanoma
Larkin J, Chiarion-Sileni V, Gonzalez R, Grob JJ, Cowey CL, Lao CD, Schadendorf D, Dummer R, Smylie M, Rutkowski P, Ferrucci PF, Hill A, Wagstaff J, Carlino MS, Haanen JB, Maio M, Marquez-Rodas I, McArthur GA, Ascierto PA, Long GV, Callahan MK, Postow MA, Grossmann K, Sznol M, Dreno B, Bastholt L, Yang A, Rollin LM, Horak C, Hodi FS, Wolchok JD. Combined Nivolumab and Ipilimumab or Monotherapy in Untreated Melanoma. New England Journal Of Medicine 2015, 373: 23-34. PMID: 26027431, PMCID: PMC5698905, DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1504030.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProgression-free survivalMedian progression-free survivalIpilimumab groupMetastatic melanomaNivolumab groupUntreated patientsPD-L1Negative tumorsTreatment-related adverse eventsLonger progression-free survivalUnresectable stage IIICoprimary end pointsCTLA-4 blockadePhase 3 studyPD-1 ligandsCombined NivolumabAdverse eventsOverall survivalPD-1Combination therapyUntreated melanomaIpilimumabNivolumabGrade 3Stage IIITherapeutic Combinations of Immune-Modulating Antibodies in Melanoma and Beyond
Cohen J, Sznol M. Therapeutic Combinations of Immune-Modulating Antibodies in Melanoma and Beyond. Seminars In Oncology 2015, 42: 488-494. PMID: 25965368, DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2015.02.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune modulating antibodiesCheckpoint inhibitorsMetastatic renal cell carcinomaPD-1/PD-L1 antagonistsSelection of patientsPD-L1 antagonistsRenal cell carcinomaNumber of malignanciesAutoimmune toxicityCell carcinomaCombination therapyMetastatic melanomaTherapeutic combinationsSingle agentCostimulatory agentsOptimal outcomesAntibodiesPatientsMalignancyPromising activityMelanomaFuture combinationInhibitorsCarcinomaAgonistsCombination Therapy with Anti–CTLA-4 and Anti–PD-1 Leads to Distinct Immunologic Changes In Vivo
Das R, Verma R, Sznol M, Boddupalli CS, Gettinger SN, Kluger H, Callahan M, Wolchok JD, Halaban R, Dhodapkar MV, Dhodapkar KM. Combination Therapy with Anti–CTLA-4 and Anti–PD-1 Leads to Distinct Immunologic Changes In Vivo. The Journal Of Immunology 2015, 194: 950-959. PMID: 25539810, PMCID: PMC4380504, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1401686.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAntibodies, MonoclonalAntigens, SurfaceAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsCTLA-4 AntigenCytokinesGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansImmunophenotypingIpilimumabLymphocytes, Tumor-InfiltratingNeoplasmsNivolumabProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorSignal TransductionT-Lymphocyte SubsetsConceptsPD-1T cellsCTLA-4Checkpoint blockadeCombination therapyReceptor occupancyCombination immune checkpoint blockadeCTLA-4 immune checkpointsPD-1 receptor occupancyTransitional memory T cellsAnti-PD-1 therapyAnti CTLA-4Immune-based combinationsPD-1 blockadeSoluble IL-2RImmune checkpoint blockadeNK cell functionMemory T cellsTherapy-induced changesT cell activationTumor T cellsHuman T cellsRemarkable antitumor effectImmunologic changesImmunologic effects
2010
Melanoma: A model for testing new agents in combination therapies
Ascierto PA, Streicher HZ, Sznol M. Melanoma: A model for testing new agents in combination therapies. Journal Of Translational Medicine 2010, 8: 38. PMID: 20406483, PMCID: PMC2873374, DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-8-38.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsC-Kit inhibitorsAdvanced melanomaImmune modulatorsIntroduction of interferonNew single agentsMulti-modality treatmentReliable predictive biomarkersSelection of patientsAdoptive cellular therapyAnti-angiogenesis agentsValidation of PatientAdditional molecular targetsImmunologic modulatorsAdvanced diseaseCombination therapyPredictive biomarkersIL-2High success rateIndividual patientsNew agentsSmall molecule inhibitorsPatientsSingle agentResponse rateAnticancer modalities
2007
A Clinical Development Paradigm for Cancer Vaccines and Related Biologics
Hoos A, Parmiani G, Hege K, Sznol M, Loibner H, Eggermont A, Urba W, Blumenstein B, Sacks N, Keilholz U, Nichol G. A Clinical Development Paradigm for Cancer Vaccines and Related Biologics. Journal Of Immunotherapy 2007, 30: 1-15. PMID: 17198079, DOI: 10.1097/01.cji.0000211341.88835.ae.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTherapeutic cancer vaccinesPhase 2 trialCancer vaccinesEfficacy trialsPrinciple trialImmune responseEnd pointCytotoxic agentsCombination therapyRelated biologicsBiologic activitySingle-arm phase 2 trialRandomized phase 2 trialClinical development challengesRandomized phase 2Primary end pointStudy end pointTumor response ratePhase 3 studyPhase 3 trialClinical end pointsNovel cancer vaccinesDifferent clinical characteristicsSuch immune responsesClinical development plan