2024
Spatially Informed Gene Signatures for Response to Immunotherapy in Melanoma.
Aung T, Warrell J, Martinez-Morilla S, Gavrielatou N, Vathiotis I, Yaghoobi V, Kluger H, Gerstein M, Rimm D. Spatially Informed Gene Signatures for Response to Immunotherapy in Melanoma. Clinical Cancer Research 2024, 30: 3520-3532. PMID: 38837895, PMCID: PMC11326985, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3932.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGene signatureResistance to immunotherapyResponse to immunotherapyPrediction of treatment outcomeResistant to treatmentAccurate prediction of treatment outcomePredictive of responseImmunotherapy outcomesMelanoma patientsMelanoma specimensValidation cohortPatient stratificationDiscovery cohortTreatment outcomesImmunotherapyMelanomaTumorPatientsCohortS100BOutcomesGene expression dataGenesCD68+macrophagesExpression data
2023
Digital spatial profiling of melanoma shows CD95 expression in immune cells is associated with resistance to immunotherapy
Martinez-Morilla S, Moutafi M, Fernandez A, Jessel S, Divakar P, Wong P, Garcia-Milian R, Schalper K, Kluger H, Rimm D. Digital spatial profiling of melanoma shows CD95 expression in immune cells is associated with resistance to immunotherapy. OncoImmunology 2023, 12: 2260618. PMID: 37781235, PMCID: PMC10540659, DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2260618.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDigital spatial profilingImmune checkpoint inhibitor therapyShorter progression-free survivalQuantitative immunofluorescenceCheckpoint inhibitor therapyProgression-free survivalMetastatic melanoma patientsPre-treatment specimensIndependent validation cohortMetastatic melanoma casesAdjuvant settingNanoString GeoMxMultivariable adjustmentAdverse eventsImmunotherapy cohortInhibitor therapyPD-L1Immune markersMelanoma patientsUnivariable analysisValidation cohortImmune cellsMelanoma casesMultiplex immunofluorescenceCD95 expressionLeptomeningeal disease in melanoma: An update on the developments in pathophysiology and clinical care
Smalley I, Boire A, Brastianos P, Kluger H, Hernando‐Monge E, Forsyth P, Ahmed K, Smalley K, Ferguson S, Davies M, Oliva I. Leptomeningeal disease in melanoma: An update on the developments in pathophysiology and clinical care. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 2023, 37: 51-67. PMID: 37622466, DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13116.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Hypophysitis and Patterns of Loss of Pituitary Function
Jessel S, Weiss SA, Austin M, Mahajan A, Etts K, Zhang L, Aizenbud L, Perdigoto AL, Hurwitz M, Sznol M, Herold KC, Kluger HM. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Hypophysitis and Patterns of Loss of Pituitary Function. Frontiers In Oncology 2022, 12: 836859. PMID: 35350573, PMCID: PMC8958012, DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.836859.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImmune checkpoint inhibitorsRenal cell carcinomaCombination immune checkpoint inhibitorsCell carcinomaClinical experienceSelect casesIncidence of hypophysitisInstitution's clinical experienceYale Cancer CenterObjective response rateAdrenal axis hormonesFree testosterone levelsMerkel cell carcinomaHigh rateMultiple tumor typesCheckpoint inhibitorsPituitary axesReal-world practiceFree testosteroneMedian timeMelanoma patientsOverall incidencePituitary functionTreatment delayAxis hormones
2021
389 Phase II of CD40 agonistic antibody sotigalimab (APX005M) in combination with nivolumab in subjects with metastatic melanoma with confirmed disease progression on anti-PD-1 therapy
Weiss S, Sznol M, Shaheen M, Berciano-Guerrero M, Felip E, Rodríguez-Abreu D, Arance A, Boni V, Linette G, Schuchter L, Gonzalez-Cao M, Iannotti N, Ganti A, Hauke R, Berrocal A, Filbert E, Kluger H. 389 Phase II of CD40 agonistic antibody sotigalimab (APX005M) in combination with nivolumab in subjects with metastatic melanoma with confirmed disease progression on anti-PD-1 therapy. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2021, 9: a422-a422. DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-sitc2021.389.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAnti-PD-1 therapyMelanoma patientsMetastatic melanomaTumor PD-L1 expressionEffective anti-tumor immunityArm phase II trialCD40 agonist antibodyRefractory melanoma patientsRefractory metastatic melanomaAdvanced melanoma patientsPD-1 blockadePD-L1 expressionPhase II trialAnti-tumor immunitySubset of patientsOverall safety profileMajority of AEsOptimal therapeutic applicationReceptor binding profileInstitutional review boardClinical study teamNebraska Medical CenterOpen labelII trialTolerability profile
2020
Quantitative analysis of CMTM6 expression in tumor microenvironment in metastatic melanoma and association with outcome on immunotherapy
Martinez-Morilla S, Zugazagoitia J, Wong PF, Kluger HM, Rimm DL. Quantitative analysis of CMTM6 expression in tumor microenvironment in metastatic melanoma and association with outcome on immunotherapy. OncoImmunology 2020, 10: 1864909. PMID: 33457084, PMCID: PMC7781756, DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1864909.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsPD-L1CMTM6 expressionControl patientsLonger survivalTissue microarrayQuantitative immunofluorescenceEffectiveness of immunotherapyMetastatic melanoma patientsDeath ligand 1Like MARVEL transmembrane domainCancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databaseExpression of CMTM6MARVEL transmembrane domainExpression of mRNAChemokine-like factorICI treatmentCheckpoint inhibitorsPretreatment biopsiesCD68 markersImmune compartmentMultivariable analysisMelanoma patientsImmune-related proteinsPredictive factors19. PLEKHA5 REGULATES TUMOR GROWTH IN METASTATIC MELANOMA
Oria V, Zhang H, Zhu H, Deng G, Zito C, Rane C, Zhang S, Weiss S, Tran T, Adeniran A, Zhang F, Zhou J, Kluger Y, Bosenberg M, Kluger H, Jilaveanu L. 19. PLEKHA5 REGULATES TUMOR GROWTH IN METASTATIC MELANOMA. Neuro-Oncology Advances 2020, 2: ii3-ii3. PMCID: PMC7401364, DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa073.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMelanoma brain metastasesBrain metastasesTumor growthPI3K/Akt/mTORCell cycle transitionAkt/mTORGrowth of tumorsS cell cycle transitionPhosphorylation of AktMelanoma patientsPoor prognosisNovel drug targetsPatient populationRegulation of PDCD4Metastatic melanomaUnique cohortXenograft modelClinical relevanceNude miceMetastasisCycle transitionMelanomaBrain developmentKey mediatorMelanoma cellsLong-term follow up of lifileucel (LN-144) cryopreserved autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in patients with advanced melanoma progressed on multiple prior therapies.
Sarnaik A, Khushalani N, Chesney J, Lewis K, Medina T, Kluger H, Thomas S, Domingo Musibay E, Pavlick A, Whitman E, Martin-Algarra S, Corrie P, Lutzky J, Hamid O, Wu R, Shi W, Fardis M, Weber J, Larkin J, Kirkwood J. Long-term follow up of lifileucel (LN-144) cryopreserved autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in patients with advanced melanoma progressed on multiple prior therapies. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2020, 38: 10006-10006. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.10006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBRAF/MEK inhibitorsMultiple prior therapiesMedian DoRPrior therapyCheckpoint inhibitorsAdvanced melanomaMelanoma patientsMedian studyMEK inhibitorsBaseline tumor burdenCohort 2 patientsIL-2 regimensAdverse event profileLong-term followMetastatic melanoma patientsIL-2 dosesAdoptive cell therapyUnresectable metastatic melanomaBaseline disease burdenBody's natural defensesAnti-cancer therapyAutologous tumorRECIST v1.1TIL productionAdvanced diseaseP865 Safety & efficacy of lifileucel (LN-144) tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in metastatic melanoma patients after progression on multiple therapies – independent review committee data update
Sarnaik A, Khushalani N, Chesney J, Kluger H, Curti B, Lewis K, Medina T, Thomas S, Pavlick A, Whitman E, Algarra S, Corrie P, Hamid O, Lutzky J, Olah J, Weber J, Larkin J, Shi W, DiTrapani K, Qin H, Mirgoli M, Wu R, Takamura T, Fardis M, Kirkwood J. P865 Safety & efficacy of lifileucel (LN-144) tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in metastatic melanoma patients after progression on multiple therapies – independent review committee data update. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2020, 8: a12. DOI: 10.1136/lba2019.18.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLeptomeningeal disease in melanoma patients: An update to treatment, challenges, and future directions
Glitza IC, Smalley KSM, Brastianos PK, Davies MA, McCutcheon I, Liu JKC, Ahmed KA, Arrington JA, Evernden BR, Smalley I, Eroglu Z, Khushalani N, Margolin K, Kluger H, Atkins MB, Tawbi H, Boire A, Forsyth P. Leptomeningeal disease in melanoma patients: An update to treatment, challenges, and future directions. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 2020, 33: 527-541. PMID: 31916400, PMCID: PMC10126834, DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12861.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLeptomeningeal diseaseMelanoma patientsCentral nervous system metastasesMelanoma Research FoundationParenchymal brain metastasesNervous system metastasesMoffitt Cancer CenterMultiple academic centersBrain metastasesCancer CenterTherapeutic managementAcademic centersClinical researchDeadly diseaseConsensus summaryDiseasePatientsMetastasisSecond summit
2019
Closed system RT-qPCR as a potential companion diagnostic test for immunotherapy outcome in metastatic melanoma
Gupta S, McCann L, Chan YGY, Lai EW, Wei W, Wong PF, Smithy JW, Weidler J, Rhees B, Bates M, Kluger HM, Rimm DL. Closed system RT-qPCR as a potential companion diagnostic test for immunotherapy outcome in metastatic melanoma. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2019, 7: 254. PMID: 31533832, PMCID: PMC6751819, DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0731-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAntineoplastic Agents, ImmunologicalB7-H1 AntigenBiomarkers, TumorCD8 AntigensFemaleFollow-Up StudiesGene Expression ProfilingHumansInterferon Regulatory Factor-1MaleMelanomaMiddle AgedMonitoring, ImmunologicPrognosisProgrammed Cell Death 1 Ligand 2 ProteinProgression-Free SurvivalReal-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionRetrospective StudiesReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionRNA, MessengerSkin NeoplasmsConceptsCompanion diagnostic testsImmunotherapy outcomesMelanoma patientsClinical benefitAnti-PD-1 therapyImmune checkpoint inhibitor therapyMRNA expressionQuantitative immunofluorescenceDiagnostic testsCheckpoint inhibitor therapyReal-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reactionMetastatic melanoma patientsQuantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reactionReverse transcription-polymerase chain reactionTranscription-polymerase chain reactionYale Pathology archivesParaffin-embedded tissue sectionsAdjuvant settingICI therapyOS associationInhibitor therapyBaseline variablesMetastatic melanomaPredictive biomarkersPolymerase chain reactionFrequent Use of Local Therapy Underscores Need for Multidisciplinary Care in the Management of Patients With Melanoma Brain Metastases Treated With PD-1 Inhibitors
Qian JM, Yu JB, Mahajan A, Goldberg SB, Kluger HM, Chiang VLS. Frequent Use of Local Therapy Underscores Need for Multidisciplinary Care in the Management of Patients With Melanoma Brain Metastases Treated With PD-1 Inhibitors. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2019, 105: 1113-1118. PMID: 31479702, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.08.053.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrain metastasesLocal therapyNeurologic safetyMelanoma patientsProspective phase 2 trialProgressive brain metastasesSerial brain imagingMelanoma brain metastasesPD-1 inhibitorsPhase 2 trialRapid disease progressionManagement of patientsNeurologic symptomsMultidisciplinary careTrial enrollmentCystic changesClinical trialsDisease progressionPatientsLesion sizeMetastasisMultidisciplinary teamTumor growthTherapyClinical decisionPerilesional edema in brain metastases: potential causes and implications for treatment with immune therapy
Tran TT, Mahajan A, Chiang VL, Goldberg SB, Nguyen DX, Jilaveanu LB, Kluger HM. Perilesional edema in brain metastases: potential causes and implications for treatment with immune therapy. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2019, 7: 200. PMID: 31362777, PMCID: PMC6668163, DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0684-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdministration, IntravenousAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAntigens, CD34Antineoplastic Agents, ImmunologicalBlood-Brain BarrierBrain EdemaBrain NeoplasmsCarcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungClinical Trials, Phase II as TopicDrug Administration ScheduleHumansLung NeoplasmsMelanomaRetrospective StudiesTight JunctionsTreatment OutcomeTumor Cells, CulturedConceptsMelanoma brain metastasesBrain metastasesPerilesional edemaVessel densityEdema volumeSensitive tumorsBlood-brain barrier model systemNon-small cell lungTight junction resistancePhase II clinical trialSignificant perilesional edemaUntreated brain metastasesBlood-brain barrierPre-clinical modelsDegree of edemaTumor mass effectPotential causesMelanoma brainShort-term cultureExtracranial metastasesImmune therapyMelanoma patientsSignificant morbidityCell lungLarge tumorsMultiplex quantitative analysis of cancer-associated fibroblasts and immunotherapy outcome in metastatic melanoma
Wong PF, Wei W, Gupta S, Smithy JW, Zelterman D, Kluger HM, Rimm DL. Multiplex quantitative analysis of cancer-associated fibroblasts and immunotherapy outcome in metastatic melanoma. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2019, 7: 194. PMID: 31337426, PMCID: PMC6651990, DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0675-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProgression-free survivalBest overall responseSmooth muscle actinOverall survivalCell countQuantitative immunofluorescenceImmune markersImmunotherapy outcomesMelanoma patientsSignificant progression-free survivalAnti-PD-1 therapyAbsence of immunotherapyPretreatment tumor specimensImmune checkpoint blockadeCell death 1Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) populationNegative prognostic biomarkerCancer-associated fibroblastsWhole tissue sectionsOverall responseOS associationCAF parametersCheckpoint blockadeImmune dysregulationDeath-1Evaluating the role of the COX2/PGE2 pathway in anti-melanoma immunity.
Ferreira M, Krykbaeva I, Damsky W, Kluger H, Bosenberg M. Evaluating the role of the COX2/PGE2 pathway in anti-melanoma immunity. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2019, 37: e14114-e14114. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.e14114.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchC57BL6/J micePD-L1 upregulationT cell exhaustionTumor implantationJ miceCell exhaustionDay 7Male C57BL6/J miceCOX2/PGE2 pathwayDay 32Anti-melanoma immunityBreast cancer modelSafety of inhibitorsAttractive pharmacologic targetML/daySyngeneic cell linesCheckpoint inhibitorsPartial responseMelanoma patientsComplete regressionSafety profileMetastatic melanomaPathway blockadePGE2 pathwayCOX2 inhibitorsSafety and efficacy of cryopreserved autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy (LN-144, lifileucel) in advanced metastatic melanoma patients who progressed on multiple prior therapies including anti-PD-1.
Sarnaik A, Khushalani N, Chesney J, Kluger H, Curti B, Lewis K, Thomas S, Whitman E, Hamid O, Lutzky J, Pavlick A, Weber J, Larkin J, Barton D, Yung L, Suzuki S, Fardis M, Kirkwood J. Safety and efficacy of cryopreserved autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy (LN-144, lifileucel) in advanced metastatic melanoma patients who progressed on multiple prior therapies including anti-PD-1. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2019, 37: 2518-2518. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.2518.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBRAF/MEK inhibitorsTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesMetastatic melanoma patientsMelanoma patientsTIL therapyPrior therapyAdvanced metastatic melanoma patientsDurable long-term responsesMEK inhibitorsBaseline tumor burdenCohort 2 patientsMultiple prior therapiesTIL infusion productsIL-2 dosesAdoptive cell therapyUnresectable metastatic melanomaBaseline disease burdenOverall disease controlAutologous tumorTIL infusionTIL productionMedian followCheckpoint inhibitorsUnresectable melanomaAdverse eventsMultiplex Quantitative Analysis of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Immunotherapy Outcome in Metastatic Melanoma
Wong PF, Wei W, Smithy JW, Acs B, Toki MI, Blenman K, Zelterman D, Kluger HM, Rimm DL. Multiplex Quantitative Analysis of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Immunotherapy Outcome in Metastatic Melanoma. Clinical Cancer Research 2019, 25: 2442-2449. PMID: 30617133, PMCID: PMC6467753, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2652.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAged, 80 and overAntineoplastic Agents, ImmunologicalBiomarkersBiomarkers, TumorFemaleFluorescent Antibody TechniqueHumansImmunohistochemistryImmunotherapyKaplan-Meier EstimateLymphocytes, Tumor-InfiltratingMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedMolecular Targeted TherapyNeoplasm StagingROC CurveT-Lymphocyte SubsetsConceptsCell countTIL activationQuantitative immunofluorescenceLymphocytic infiltrationMelanoma patientsMetastatic melanomaAnti-PD-1 responseAnti-PD-1 therapyCell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitionAbsence of immunotherapyDeath-1 (PD-1) inhibitionDisease control rateProgression-free survivalCD8 cell countsTumor-Infiltrating LymphocytesNew predictive biomarkersWhole tissue sectionsRECIST 1.1Progressive diseaseDurable responsesObjective responsePartial responseImmunotherapy outcomesLymphocyte profilesMultivariable analysisSafety and efficacy of cryopreserved autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy (LN-144, lifileucel) in advanced metastatic melanoma patients previously treated with at least one prior systemic therapy.
Sarnaik A, Thomas S, Davar D, Kirkwood J, Kluger H, Lutzky J, Wilson M, Pavlick A, Curti B, Whitman E, Phan G, Ernstoff M, Takamura K, Barton D, Suzuki S, Karyampudi L, Samberg N, Fardis M, Chesney J. Safety and efficacy of cryopreserved autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy (LN-144, lifileucel) in advanced metastatic melanoma patients previously treated with at least one prior systemic therapy. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2019, 37: 136-136. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2019.37.8_suppl.136.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesBRAF/MEK inhibitorsMetastatic melanoma patientsMetastatic melanomaPrior therapyCheckpoint inhibitorsMelanoma patientsIL-2Advanced metastatic melanoma patientsHigh-dose IL-2MEK inhibitorsBaseline tumor burdenCohort 2 patientsDose IL-2Frequency of AEsPrior systemic therapyAdoptive cell therapyUnresectable metastatic melanomaPreliminary dataAutologous tumorLymphodepletion regimenTIL treatmentMedian followProgressive diseaseComplete response
2018
A Serum Protein Signature Associated with Outcome after Anti–PD-1 Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma
Weber JS, Sznol M, Sullivan RJ, Blackmon S, Boland G, Kluger HM, Halaban R, Bacchiocchi A, Ascierto PA, Capone M, Oliveira C, Meyer K, Grigorieva J, Asmellash SG, Roder J, Roder H. A Serum Protein Signature Associated with Outcome after Anti–PD-1 Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma. Cancer Immunology Research 2018, 6: 79-86. PMID: 29208646, DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-17-0412.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAcute phase reactantsCheckpoint inhibitorsOverall survivalPhase reactantsIpilimumab-treated patientsPD-1 blockadeTrials of nivolumabBetter overall survivalIndependent patient cohortsPretreatment serumPD-1Melanoma patientsValidation cohortMetastatic melanomaMultipeptide vaccinePatient cohortPooled analysisWorse outcomesClinical dataPatientsMultivariate analysisComplement cascadeMass spectrometry analysisNivolumabCohort
2017
PD-L1 Studies Across Tumor Types, Its Differential Expression and Predictive Value in Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Kluger HM, Zito CR, Turcu G, Baine M, Zhang H, Adeniran A, Sznol M, Rimm DL, Kluger Y, Chen L, Cohen JV, Jilaveanu LB. PD-L1 Studies Across Tumor Types, Its Differential Expression and Predictive Value in Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Clinical Cancer Research 2017, 23: 4270-4279. PMID: 28223273, PMCID: PMC5540774, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-3146.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-small cell lung cancerPD-L1 expressionRenal cell carcinomaPD-1 inhibitorsCell carcinomaImmune-infiltrating cellsMelanoma patientsPD-L1Tumor cellsTumor typesTumor-associated inflammatory cellsCTLA-4 inhibitorsCell lung cancerRenal cell carcinoma cellsHigh response rateClin Cancer ResCell linesMelanoma tumor cellsPD-1Multivariable analysisNSCLC specimensInflammatory cellsLung cancerTissue microarrayResponse rate