2022
Maximizing the value of phase III trials in immuno-oncology: A checklist from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC)
Atkins MB, Abu-Sbeih H, Ascierto PA, Bishop MR, Chen DS, Dhodapkar M, Emens LA, Ernstoff MS, Ferris RL, Greten TF, Gulley JL, Herbst RS, Humphrey RW, Larkin J, Margolin KA, Mazzarella L, Ramalingam SS, Regan MM, Rini BI, Sznol M. Maximizing the value of phase III trials in immuno-oncology: A checklist from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC). Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2022, 10: e005413. PMID: 36175037, PMCID: PMC9528604, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005413.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhase III trialsImmunotherapy of cancerIII trialsCurative responseImmune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapyCell death protein 1Checkpoint inhibitor monotherapyDefinitive predictive biomarkersDurable clinical benefitProgression-free survivalMinority of patientsDeath protein 1Variety of indicationsClinical trial designAnimal tumor modelsLimited Phase IDrug development programsImmunotherapy combinationsInvestigational chemotherapyImmunotherapy fieldInhibitor monotherapyOverall survivalDismal prognosisClinical benefitSurvival outcomesAutoimmune retinopathy with associated anti-retinal antibodies as a potential immune-related adverse event associated with immunotherapy in patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma: case series and systematic review
Heng JS, Kim JM, Jones DK, Stoessel KM, Weiss SA, Sznol M, Kluger HM, Walter SD, Silverstein NA, Pointdujour-Lim R. Autoimmune retinopathy with associated anti-retinal antibodies as a potential immune-related adverse event associated with immunotherapy in patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma: case series and systematic review. BMJ Open Ophthalmology 2022, 7: e000889. PMID: 35047671, PMCID: PMC8724805, DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2021-000889.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdvanced cutaneous melanomaAnti-retinal antibodiesImmune-related adverse eventsAutoimmune retinopathyCutaneous melanomaNivolumab immunotherapySystematic reviewAdverse eventsMucosal melanomaAcute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathyPotential immune-related adverse eventsBilateral visual field lossNew visual symptomsImmune checkpoint inhibitionRetrospective chart reviewCutaneous melanoma patientsVaried clinical manifestationsVisual field lossComplete ophthalmic examinationScreening of patientsMeta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelinesPreferred Reporting ItemsVitelliform maculopathyChart reviewFunduscopic changes
2021
Outcomes of Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Immunotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients With Brain Metastases
Uezono H, Nam D, Kluger HM, Sznol M, Hurwitz M, Yu JB, Chiang VL. Outcomes of Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Immunotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients With Brain Metastases. American Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2021, 44: 495-501. PMID: 34432667, DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000000849.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsRCC brain metastasesBrain metastasesRenal cell carcinomaStereotactic radiosurgeryOverall survivalUse of ICIsCentral nervous system toxicityRenal cell carcinoma patientsImpact of immunotherapyLocal control outcomesMedian overall survivalCell carcinoma patientsKaplan-Meier curvesNervous system toxicityBetter median OSLog-rank testMann-Whitney U testMargin doseMedian OSNonimmunotherapy groupSRS doseCheckpoint inhibitorsImmunotherapy groupCarcinoma patientsResistance mechanisms to checkpoint inhibitors
Weiss SA, Sznol M. Resistance mechanisms to checkpoint inhibitors. Current Opinion In Immunology 2021, 69: 47-55. PMID: 33676271, DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.02.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsPD-1/PD-L1 axisMultiple immune checkpoint inhibitorsPD1/PD-L1PD-L1 axisHuman translational studiesPre-clinical studiesPre-clinical animalResistance mechanismsCheckpoint inhibitorsPD-L1Clinical outcomesTreatment failureClinical trialsTranslational studiesCancer treatmentPotential mechanismsInhibitorsPatientsClinicTrialsAntibodies
2020
Revisiting anti-CTLA-4 antibodies in combination with PD-1 blockade for cancer immunotherapy
Sznol M, Melero I. Revisiting anti-CTLA-4 antibodies in combination with PD-1 blockade for cancer immunotherapy. Annals Of Oncology 2020, 32: 295-297. PMID: 33307201, DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.11.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBempegaldesleukin (NKTR-214) plus Nivolumab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of Safety, Efficacy, and Immune Activation (PIVOT-02)
Diab A, Tannir NM, Bentebibel SE, Hwu P, Papadimitrakopoulou V, Haymaker C, Kluger HM, Gettinger SN, Sznol M, Tykodi SS, Curti BD, Tagliaferri MA, Zalevsky J, Hannah AL, Hoch U, Aung S, Fanton C, Rizwan A, Iacucci E, Liao Y, Bernatchez C, Hurwitz ME, Cho DC. Bempegaldesleukin (NKTR-214) plus Nivolumab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of Safety, Efficacy, and Immune Activation (PIVOT-02). Cancer Discovery 2020, 10: 1158-1173. PMID: 32439653, DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-19-1510.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAntineoplastic Agents, ImmunologicalAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsCarcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungCarcinoma, Renal CellFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsImmunotherapyInterleukin-2Kidney NeoplasmsLung NeoplasmsLymphocyte CountLymphocytes, Tumor-InfiltratingMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedNivolumabPolyethylene GlycolsProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorTreatment OutcomeYoung AdultConceptsTreatment-related adverse eventsAdvanced solid tumorsPD-L1 statusSolid tumorsGrade 3/4 treatment-related adverse eventsPD-1/PD-L1 blockadeCommon treatment-related adverse eventsPhase I dose-escalation trialPoor prognostic risk factorsTotal objective response rateI dose-escalation studyI dose-escalation trialLongitudinal tumor biopsiesPD-L1 blockadeT-cell enhancementTreatment-related deathsObjective response ratePhase II doseDose-escalation studyDose-escalation trialDose-limiting toxicityFlu-like symptomsPrognostic risk factorsTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesCytotoxicity of CD8Reversing Resistance to Checkpoint Inhibitors and Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma.
Sznol M. Reversing Resistance to Checkpoint Inhibitors and Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma. Clinical Advances In Hematology And Oncology 2020, 18: 408-410. PMID: 32903252.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDefining tumor resistance to PD-1 pathway blockade: recommendations from the first meeting of the SITC Immunotherapy Resistance Taskforce
Kluger HM, Tawbi HA, Ascierto ML, Bowden M, Callahan MK, Cha E, Chen HX, Drake CG, Feltquate DM, Ferris RL, Gulley JL, Gupta S, Humphrey RW, LaVallee TM, Le DT, Hubbard-Lucey VM, Papadimitrakopoulou VA, Postow MA, Rubin EH, Sharon E, Taube JM, Topalian SL, Zappasodi R, Sznol M, Sullivan RJ. Defining tumor resistance to PD-1 pathway blockade: recommendations from the first meeting of the SITC Immunotherapy Resistance Taskforce. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2020, 8: e000398. PMID: 32238470, PMCID: PMC7174063, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000398.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBiomarkers, TumorFemaleHumansImmunotherapyMaleNeoplasmsProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorConceptsCancer immunotherapyClinical definitionNew agentsPD-1/PD-L1 blockadePD-1 pathway blockadeConsensus clinical definitionPD-L1 blockadeDeath receptor-1Immunotherapy of cancerStandard of careClinical trial designTreatment discontinuationMechanisms of resistancePathway blockadeClinical trialsConfirmatory scanPrimary resistancePatient benefitSecondary resistanceTrial designTreatment approachesUnmet needReceptor 1Tumor resistancePattern of response
2019
Immunotherapy of Melanoma: Facts and Hopes
Weiss SA, Wolchok JD, Sznol M. Immunotherapy of Melanoma: Facts and Hopes. Clinical Cancer Research 2019, 25: 5191-5201. PMID: 30923036, PMCID: PMC6726509, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-1550.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOverall survivalMetastatic diseaseImmune therapyPredictive biomarkersNivolumab/ipilimumab combinationRandomized phase III trialLong-term clinical benefitImmunobiology of tumorsDuration of therapyPhase III trialsLong-term survivorsEffective immune therapyAdjuvant settingIpilimumab combinationMetastatic settingIII trialsPatient subsetsClinical benefitImmune modulationMetastatic melanomaClinical trialsSingle agentTherapyTrue increaseCell therapyPatterns of failure after immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors predict durable progression-free survival after local therapy for metastatic melanoma
Klemen ND, Wang M, Feingold PL, Cooper K, Pavri SN, Han D, Detterbeck FC, Boffa DJ, Khan SA, Olino K, Clune J, Ariyan S, Salem RR, Weiss SA, Kluger HM, Sznol M, Cha C. Patterns of failure after immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors predict durable progression-free survival after local therapy for metastatic melanoma. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2019, 7: 196. PMID: 31340861, PMCID: PMC6657062, DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0672-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsThree-year progression-free survivalProgression-free survivalDisease-specific survivalFive-year disease-specific survivalPatterns of failureDurable progression-free survivalLocal therapyStereotactic body radiotherapyMetastatic melanomaNew metastasesPatient selectionIndependent radiological reviewOngoing complete responseResultsFour hundred twentyEvidence of diseaseCNS metastasisCPI treatmentImmunotherapy failureCheckpoint inhibitorsMost patientsProgressive diseaseRadiological reviewComplete responsePD-1PD-L1Ophthalmic Immune-Related Adverse Events of Immunotherapy: A Single-Site Case Series
Kim J, Materin MA, Sznol M, Kluger H, Weiss S, Chow J, Stoessel K, Kombo N, Del Priore L, Pointdujour-Lim R. Ophthalmic Immune-Related Adverse Events of Immunotherapy: A Single-Site Case Series. Ophthalmology 2019, 126: 1058-1062. PMID: 30735682, PMCID: PMC6933747, DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.01.031.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2018
Fibrinogen-like Protein 1 Is a Major Immune Inhibitory Ligand of LAG-3
Wang J, Sanmamed MF, Datar I, Su TT, Ji L, Sun J, Chen L, Chen Y, Zhu G, Yin W, Zheng L, Zhou T, Badri T, Yao S, Zhu S, Boto A, Sznol M, Melero I, Vignali DAA, Schalper K, Chen L. Fibrinogen-like Protein 1 Is a Major Immune Inhibitory Ligand of LAG-3. Cell 2018, 176: 334-347.e12. PMID: 30580966, PMCID: PMC6365968, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.11.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFibrinogen-like protein 1MHC-IILAG-3Major histocompatibility complex class IILymphocyte activation gene-3Histocompatibility complex class IILiver-secreted proteinsImmune inhibitory receptorsProtein 1Immune evasion mechanismsCell immunityTumor immunityPoor prognosisCancer immunotherapyCancer patientsInhibitory receptorsEvasion mechanismsHuman cancer cellsCell activationClass IIMouse tumorsMonoclonal antibodiesCancer cellsInhibitory ligandsInhibitory function
2017
Workshop on challenges, insights, and future directions for mouse and humanized models in cancer immunology and immunotherapy: a report from the associated programs of the 2016 annual meeting for the Society for Immunotherapy of cancer
Zloza A, Karolina Palucka A, Coussens LM, Gotwals PJ, Headley MB, Jaffee EM, Lund AW, Sharpe AH, Sznol M, Wainwright DA, Wong KK, Bosenberg MW. Workshop on challenges, insights, and future directions for mouse and humanized models in cancer immunology and immunotherapy: a report from the associated programs of the 2016 annual meeting for the Society for Immunotherapy of cancer. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2017, 5: 77. PMID: 28923102, PMCID: PMC5604351, DOI: 10.1186/s40425-017-0278-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmunotherapy of cancerCancer immunologyHumanized modelImmunotherapy researchImmune-targeted therapiesAntitumor immune responseCancer immunotherapy researchCancer immunotherapyImmune responseMurine modelMouse modelImmunotherapyPredictive valueSubsequent panel discussionNational HarborAnnual MeetingImmunologyDrug developmentCancerMiceFuture directionsImmunocompetentTherapyCancer modelingThe Phoenix Rises: The Rebirth of Cancer Immunotherapy
Blasutig IM, Farkona S, Buchbinder EI, Luke JJ, Sharma P, Sznol M. The Phoenix Rises: The Rebirth of Cancer Immunotherapy. Clinical Chemistry 2017, 63: 1190-1195. PMID: 28515097, DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2016.267849.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNuclear IRF-1 expression as a mechanism to assess “Capability” to express PD-L1 and response to PD-1 therapy in metastatic melanoma
Smithy JW, Moore LM, Pelekanou V, Rehman J, Gaule P, Wong PF, Neumeister VM, Sznol M, Kluger HM, Rimm DL. Nuclear IRF-1 expression as a mechanism to assess “Capability” to express PD-L1 and response to PD-1 therapy in metastatic melanoma. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2017, 5: 25. PMID: 28331615, PMCID: PMC5359951, DOI: 10.1186/s40425-017-0229-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAntibodies, MonoclonalAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedB7-H1 AntigenBiomarkers, PharmacologicalDisease-Free SurvivalFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansImmunotherapyInterferon Regulatory Factor-1IpilimumabMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedNeoplasm MetastasisNeoplasms, Second PrimaryNivolumabProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorConceptsProgression-free survivalObjective radiographic responsePD-L1 expressionPD-L1IRF-1 expressionMetastatic melanomaAnti-PD-1 therapyCombination ipilimumab/nivolumabHigh PD-L1 expressionAnti-PD-1 immunotherapyYale-New Haven HospitalIpilimumab/nivolumabPD-1 therapyPR/CRPre-treatment formalinRECIST v1.1 criteriaDeath ligand 1Valuable predictive biomarkerMajor unmet needNew Haven HospitalInterferon regulatory factor 1Combination ipilimumabProgressive diseaseRadiographic responseComplete response
2015
Cancer Immunotherapy: Past Progress and Future Directions
Atkins MB, Sznol M. Cancer Immunotherapy: Past Progress and Future Directions. Seminars In Oncology 2015, 42: 518-522. PMID: 26320057, DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2015.05.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrecipitation of Autoimmune Diabetes With Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy
Hughes J, Vudattu N, Sznol M, Gettinger S, Kluger H, Lupsa B, Herold KC. Precipitation of Autoimmune Diabetes With Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy. Diabetes Care 2015, 38: e55-e57. PMID: 25805871, PMCID: PMC4370325, DOI: 10.2337/dc14-2349.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus Statements
2014
Release the Hounds! Activating the T-Cell Response to Cancer
Sznol M, Longo DL. Release the Hounds! Activating the T-Cell Response to Cancer. New England Journal Of Medicine 2014, 372: 374-375. PMID: 25482238, DOI: 10.1056/nejme1413488.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2011
Blockade of the B7-H1/PD-1 pathway for cancer immunotherapy.
Flies DB, Sandler BJ, Sznol M, Chen L. Blockade of the B7-H1/PD-1 pathway for cancer immunotherapy. The Yale Journal Of Biology And Medicine 2011, 84: 409-21. PMID: 22180678, PMCID: PMC3238327.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB7-H1/PDTumor-associated antigensImmune responseCancer immunotherapyMolecular pathwaysCancer-specific immune responsesImmune-mediated destructionSpecific immune responseCancer immunotherapy researchAnti-cancer effectsCoinhibitory functionImmunotherapeutic modalitiesCoinhibitory moleculesClinical evidenceImmunotherapy researchMalignant diseaseNew immunotherapeuticsImmune cellsImmune functionStromal cellsCancerMonoclonal antibodiesCancer cellsImmunotherapyCurrent knowledgeMolecular Markers of Response to Treatment for Melanoma
Sznol M. Molecular Markers of Response to Treatment for Melanoma. The Cancer Journal 2011, 17: 127-133. PMID: 21427556, DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0b013e318212dd5a.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAngiogenesis InhibitorsAntineoplastic AgentsBiomarkers, TumorHumansImmunotherapyMelanomaMolecular Targeted TherapyConceptsImmune therapyAnti-tumor immune responseInitial high response rateStandard of careFraction of patientsUseful predictive biomarkerHigh response rateMost patientsMetastatic melanomaPredictive biomarkersClinical activityImmune responseIndividual patientsPotent small molecule inhibitorsDurable benefitMultiple active agentsSmall molecule inhibitorsResponse ratePatientsMutant BRAFOverall populationTherapyMolecule inhibitorsMelanomaTumors