2022
Bempegaldesleukin plus nivolumab in first-line renal cell carcinoma: results from the PIVOT-02 study
Tannir NM, Cho DC, Diab A, Sznol M, Bilen MA, Balar AV, Grignani G, Puente E, Tang L, Chien D, Hoch U, Choudhury A, Yu D, Currie SL, Tagliaferri MA, Zalevsky J, Siefker-Radtke AO, Hurwitz ME. Bempegaldesleukin plus nivolumab in first-line renal cell carcinoma: results from the PIVOT-02 study. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2022, 10: e004419. PMID: 35444058, PMCID: PMC9021810, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004419.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreatment-related adverse eventsRenal cell carcinomaProgression-free survivalAdvanced clear cell renal cell carcinomaClear cell renal cell carcinomaFirst-line therapyOverall survivalCell carcinomaGrade 3/4 treatment-related adverse eventsSingle-arm phase 1/2 studyMedian progression-free survivalMedian overall survivalObjective response ratePhase 1/2 studyCent of patientsPreliminary antitumor activitySingle-arm designAdverse eventsComplete responseBaseline biomarkersTreatment optionsExploratory biomarkersRCC cohortBempegaldesleukinNivolumabImmune 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
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 therapyMolecular correlates of response to nivolumab at baseline and on treatment in patients with RCC
Ross-Macdonald P, Walsh AM, Chasalow SD, Ammar R, Papillon-Cavanagh S, Szabo PM, Choueiri TK, Sznol M, Wind-Rotolo M. Molecular correlates of response to nivolumab at baseline and on treatment in patients with RCC. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2021, 9: e001506. PMID: 33658305, PMCID: PMC7931766, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001506.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsB7-H1 AntigenBiomarkers, TumorCarcinoma, Renal CellCD4 AntigensCD8 AntigensCytokinesDrug Resistance, NeoplasmHumansImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsKidney NeoplasmsLymphocytes, Tumor-InfiltratingMutationNivolumabProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorReceptors, Antigen, T-CellT-LymphocytesTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeConceptsClear cell renal cell carcinomaMetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinomaT cell infiltrationNivolumab responseExact testDeath ligand 1 (PD-L1) statusFirst-line treatment decisionsT-cell receptor clonalitySerum cytokine assaysImmune checkpoint inhibitorsNon-responding patientsDeath-1 receptorCell renal cell carcinomaSubset of patientsRenal cell carcinomaFisher's exact testWnt/β-cateninLogistic regression modelsRank sum testCD8 statusCheckpoint inhibitorsIndex lesionPatient selectionTCR clonalityCell carcinoma
2020
Bempegaldesleukin selectively depletes intratumoral Tregs and potentiates T cell-mediated cancer therapy
Sharma M, Khong H, Fa’ak F, Bentebibel SE, Janssen LME, Chesson BC, Creasy CA, Forget MA, Kahn LMS, Pazdrak B, Karki B, Hailemichael Y, Singh M, Vianden C, Vennam S, Bharadwaj U, Tweardy DJ, Haymaker C, Bernatchez C, Huang S, Rajapakshe K, Coarfa C, Hurwitz ME, Sznol M, Hwu P, Hoch U, Addepalli M, Charych DH, Zalevsky J, Diab A, Overwijk WW. Bempegaldesleukin selectively depletes intratumoral Tregs and potentiates T cell-mediated cancer therapy. Nature Communications 2020, 11: 661. PMID: 32005826, PMCID: PMC6994577, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14471-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedCarcinoma, Renal CellCD8-Positive T-LymphocytesCohort StudiesDrug Therapy, CombinationFemaleHumansInterferon-gammaInterleukin-2IpilimumabLymphocyte ActivationMelanomaMiceMice, Inbred C57BLPolyethylene GlycolsProdrugsReceptors, Interleukin-2T-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryTumor Necrosis Factor-alphaConceptsNKTR-214Interleukin-2Treg depletionT cellsHigh-dose interleukin-2Suppressive regulatory T cellsSuperior anti-tumor activityAnti-tumor CD8Dose interleukin-2Peptide-based vaccinationRegulatory T cellsCheckpoint blockade therapyTreatment-associated toxicityIL-2 pathwayRenal cell carcinomaAnti-tumor activityAnti-cancer therapyMechanism of actionTreg dynamicsIntratumoral TregsBlockade therapyCytokines IFNCell carcinomaMetastatic melanomaTherapeutic impact
2019
Five-Year Survival and Correlates Among Patients With Advanced Melanoma, Renal Cell Carcinoma, or Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Nivolumab
Topalian SL, Hodi FS, Brahmer JR, Gettinger SN, Smith DC, McDermott DF, Powderly JD, Sosman JA, Atkins MB, Leming PD, Spigel DR, Antonia SJ, Drilon A, Wolchok JD, Carvajal RD, McHenry MB, Hosein F, Harbison CT, Grosso JF, Sznol M. Five-Year Survival and Correlates Among Patients With Advanced Melanoma, Renal Cell Carcinoma, or Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Nivolumab. JAMA Oncology 2019, 5: 1411-1420. PMID: 31343665, PMCID: PMC6659167, DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.2187.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNon-small cell lung cancerRenal cell carcinomaLong-term survivalTreatment-related AEsOverall survivalCell lung cancerAdvanced melanomaCell carcinomaLung cancerEastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance statusFuture clinical trial developmentLong-term overall survivalActivity of nivolumabSubsequent protocol amendmentUnacceptable toxic effectsFive-year survivalOverall survival curvesPresence of liverCell death 1Clinical trial developmentUS medical centersNivolumab treatmentPerformance statusProgressive diseaseBone metastases
2018
Clinical activity and molecular correlates of response to atezolizumab alone or in combination with bevacizumab versus sunitinib in renal cell carcinoma
McDermott DF, Huseni MA, Atkins MB, Motzer RJ, Rini BI, Escudier B, Fong L, Joseph RW, Pal SK, Reeves JA, Sznol M, Hainsworth J, Rathmell WK, Stadler WM, Hutson T, Gore ME, Ravaud A, Bracarda S, Suárez C, Danielli R, Gruenwald V, Choueiri TK, Nickles D, Jhunjhunwala S, Piault-Louis E, Thobhani A, Qiu J, Chen DS, Hegde PS, Schiff C, Fine GD, Powles T. Clinical activity and molecular correlates of response to atezolizumab alone or in combination with bevacizumab versus sunitinib in renal cell carcinoma. Nature Medicine 2018, 24: 749-757. PMID: 29867230, PMCID: PMC6721896, DOI: 10.1038/s41591-018-0053-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntibodies, MonoclonalAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsBevacizumabCarcinoma, Renal CellFemaleGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansKaplan-Meier EstimateKidney NeoplasmsMaleMiddle AgedMutationSunitinibTreatment OutcomeConceptsProgression-free survivalPFS hazard ratioRenal cell carcinomaHazard ratioPD-L1Cell carcinomaTreatment-naive metastatic renal-cell carcinomaRandomized phase 2 studyMetastatic renal cell carcinomaInflammatory gene expression signatureExploratory biomarker analysisPhase 2 studyImmune checkpoint blockadeCo-primary endpointsPrediction of outcomeAtezolizumab monotherapyCheckpoint blockadeGene expression signaturesNeoantigen burdenT effectorsClinical activityAtezolizumabBevacizumabTumor mutationsSunitinib
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
2016
Immunomodulatory Activity of Nivolumab in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Choueiri TK, Fishman MN, Escudier B, McDermott DF, Drake CG, Kluger H, Stadler WM, Perez-Gracia JL, McNeel DG, Curti B, Harrison MR, Plimack ER, Appleman L, Fong L, Albiges L, Cohen L, Young TC, Chasalow SD, Ross-Macdonald P, Srivastava S, Jure-Kunkel M, Kurland JF, Simon JS, Sznol M. Immunomodulatory Activity of Nivolumab in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. Clinical Cancer Research 2016, 22: 5461-5471. PMID: 27169994, PMCID: PMC5106340, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-2839.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMetastatic renal cell carcinomaTreatment-naïve patientsPD-L1 expressionTumor-associated lymphocytesTreatment biopsiesOverall survivalAnti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitorImmune checkpoint inhibitorsMedian overall survivalNew safety signalsPD-1 inhibitionPhase 3 trialMedian percent changeRenal cell carcinomaUpregulation of IFNγTumor gene expressionNivolumab dosesSerum chemokinesCheckpoint inhibitorsChemokine levelsBaseline biopsiesCell carcinomaImmunomodulatory effectsPeripheral bloodClinical activityAtezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab enhances antigen-specific T-cell migration in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Wallin JJ, Bendell JC, Funke R, Sznol M, Korski K, Jones S, Hernandez G, Mier J, He X, Hodi FS, Denker M, Leveque V, Cañamero M, Babitski G, Koeppen H, Ziai J, Sharma N, Gaire F, Chen DS, Waterkamp D, Hegde PS, McDermott DF. Atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab enhances antigen-specific T-cell migration in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Nature Communications 2016, 7: 12624. PMID: 27571927, PMCID: PMC5013615, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12624.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAntibodies, MonoclonalAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAntigens, NeoplasmAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsB7-H1 AntigenBevacizumabCarcinoma, Renal CellCD8-Positive T-LymphocytesCell MovementDrug SynergismFemaleHumansKidneyKidney NeoplasmsMaleMaximum Tolerated DoseMiddle AgedTreatment OutcomeVascular Endothelial Growth Factor AConceptsAntigen-specific T-cell migrationT cell migrationT cellsCombination treatmentAnti-tumor immune activationPD-L1 checkpoint inhibitionMetastatic renal cell carcinomaAddition of atezolizumabIntra-tumoral CD8Subset of patientsT cell infiltrationImmune cell activityRenal cell carcinomaEndothelial cell activationVariety of cancersLymphocytes increasesPeripheral CD8Checkpoint inhibitorsDurable responsesCheckpoint inhibitionImmune activationCell carcinomaVascular normalizationReceptor increasesCell activationAtezolizumab, an Anti–Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Antibody, in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Safety, Clinical Activity, and Immune Correlates From a Phase Ia Study
McDermott DF, Sosman JA, Sznol M, Massard C, Gordon MS, Hamid O, Powderly JD, Infante JR, Fassò M, Wang YV, Zou W, Hegde PS, Fine GD, Powles T. Atezolizumab, an Anti–Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Antibody, in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Safety, Clinical Activity, and Immune Correlates From a Phase Ia Study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2016, 34: 833-842. PMID: 26755520, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.63.7421.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntibodies, MonoclonalAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedB7-H1 AntigenBiomarkers, TumorCarcinoma, Renal CellDose-Response Relationship, DrugDose-Response Relationship, ImmunologicFemaleHumansImmunohistochemistryKidney NeoplasmsLymphocytes, Tumor-InfiltratingMaleMiddle AgedT-LymphocytesConceptsMetastatic renal cell carcinomaRenal cell carcinomaClinical activityCell carcinomaImmune cellsAnti-programmed death ligand 1 antibodyImmune-mediated adverse eventsNon-clear cell histologySolid Tumors version 1.1Death ligand 1 antibodyTumor-infiltrating immune cellsEnd pointFuhrman grade 4Phase Ia studyManageable safety profileObjective response ratePrimary end pointSecondary end pointsPD-L1 expressionPD-L1 stainingProgression-free survivalResponse Evaluation CriteriaEffector T cellsAcute phase proteinsGrade 4
2015
Survival, Durable Response, and Long-Term Safety in Patients With Previously Treated Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Receiving Nivolumab
McDermott DF, Drake CG, Sznol M, Choueiri TK, Powderly JD, Smith DC, Brahmer JR, Carvajal RD, Hammers HJ, Puzanov I, Hodi FS, Kluger HM, Topalian SL, Pardoll DM, Wigginton JM, Kollia GD, Gupta A, McDonald D, Sankar V, Sosman JA, Atkins MB. Survival, Durable Response, and Long-Term Safety in Patients With Previously Treated Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Receiving Nivolumab. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2015, 33: 2013-2020. PMID: 25800770, PMCID: PMC4517051, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2014.58.1041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAntibodies, MonoclonalAntineoplastic AgentsCarcinoma, Renal CellCohort StudiesDisease-Free SurvivalDose-Response Relationship, DrugFemaleHumansKidney NeoplasmsMaleMaximum Tolerated DoseMiddle AgedNivolumabPatient SafetyProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeConceptsAdvanced renal cell carcinomaRenal cell carcinomaLong-term safetyOverall survivalDurable responsesTreatment-refractory solid tumorsTreatment-related adverse eventsOngoing randomized clinical trialsImpact of nivolumabMedian overall survivalMedian response durationPortion of patientsDuration of responseRandomized clinical trialsDrug discontinuationIntravenous nivolumabStable diseaseExpansion cohortTreatment discontinuationAdverse eventsObjective responseAdditional patientsAntibody nivolumabCell surface moleculesCell carcinomaTherapeutic 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 combinationInhibitorsCarcinomaAgonists
2008
Classification of renal cell carcinoma based on expression of VEGF and VEGF receptors in both tumor cells and endothelial cells
Kluger HM, Siddiqui SF, Angeletti C, Sznol M, Kelly WK, Molinaro AM, Camp RL. Classification of renal cell carcinoma based on expression of VEGF and VEGF receptors in both tumor cells and endothelial cells. Laboratory Investigation 2008, 88: 962-972. PMID: 18626467, DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2008.65.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2002
Phase I study of the intravenous administration of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium to patients with metastatic melanoma.
Toso JF, Gill VJ, Hwu P, Marincola FM, Restifo NP, Schwartzentruber DJ, Sherry RM, Topalian SL, Yang JC, Stock F, Freezer LJ, Morton KE, Seipp C, Haworth L, Mavroukakis S, White D, MacDonald S, Mao J, Sznol M, Rosenberg SA. Phase I study of the intravenous administration of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium to patients with metastatic melanoma. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2002, 20: 142-52. PMID: 11773163, PMCID: PMC2064865, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2002.20.1.142.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDose-related toxicityMetastatic melanomaAntitumor effectsTumor colonizationMetastatic renal cell carcinomaTumor necrosis factor alphaPhase IPresent phase IMaximum-tolerated doseObjective tumor regressionIntravenous bolus infusionAttenuated Salmonella typhimuriumDose-related increaseElevated alkaline phosphataseNecrosis factor alphaRenal cell carcinomaSalmonella typhimuriumPersistent bacteremiaIL-12Proinflammatory cytokinesCell carcinomaIL-6Intravenous infusionBolus infusionTumor regression