The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of nivolumab with ipilimumab in melanoma patients.
Prognosis of Melanoma Improved With Patient-Specific Immunotherapeutic Vaccine
The vaccines were derived from the patients' own dendritic cells loaded with proteins isolated from their tumors.
The vaccines were derived from the patients' own dendritic cells loaded with proteins isolated from their tumors.
‘About 1,300 people a year diagnosed with advanced skin cancer in the UK could potentially benefit from the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab drugs approved for NHS use.’
The decision was very quick and was made after the clinical trial showed promising results against the condition. The combination therapy was tested on 95 skin cancer patients, of which 65% of patients lived more than two years and about 22% had no tumors at all. The two immunotherapy drugs stimulated the immune system to attack the tumor cells efficiently. Nivolumab targets a receptor called as PD-1 and ipilimumab targets the CTLA-4 receptor. They are called as checkpoint inhibitors.
Nivolumab attaches itself to the outer part of the T-cells. It blocks the signal from the cancer cells, which makes the immune system to recognize them as a healthy cell. By blocking this signal, the drug triggers an immune response to attack and destroy the tumors. Ipilimumab, in turn, helps in the multiplication of T-cells.
Protein May Predict Response to Immunotherapy in Melanoma Patients
Immunotherapy helps make cancer cells more vulnerable to attack by T cells in the body's immune system by blocking the activity of a molecule called PD-1.
Immunotherapy helps make cancer cells more vulnerable to attack by T cells in the body's immune system by blocking the activity of a molecule called PD-1.
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A Combined Approach May Boost Metastatic Melanoma Treatment
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, accounting for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths when it spreads, or metastasizes, to other organs in the body.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, accounting for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths when it spreads, or metastasizes, to other organs in the body.
PCP Screening: An Effective Way to Improve Early Detection of Melanoma
Skin cancer screenings performed by primary care physicians (PCPs) are an effective way to improve early detection of melanoma, which could save lives.
Skin cancer screenings performed by primary care physicians (PCPs) are an effective way to improve early detection of melanoma, which could save lives.
