2019
A First-in-Human Study and Biomarker Analysis of NKTR-214, a Novel IL2Rβγ-Biased Cytokine, in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
Bentebibel SE, Hurwitz ME, Bernatchez C, Haymaker C, Hudgens CW, Kluger HM, Tetzlaff MT, Tagliaferri MA, Zalevsky J, Hoch U, Fanton C, Aung S, Hwu P, Curti BD, Tannir NM, Sznol M, Diab A. A First-in-Human Study and Biomarker Analysis of NKTR-214, a Novel IL2Rβγ-Biased Cytokine, in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors. Cancer Discovery 2019, 9: 711-721. PMID: 30988166, DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-18-1495.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNKTR-214Tumor biopsiesDurable disease stabilizationImmuno-oncology agentsMulticenter phase IPathway-targeted agentsTreatment tumor biopsiesPhase II doseActivation of CD8Metastatic solid tumorsNatural killer cellsOutpatient regimenCheckpoint inhibitorsDisease stabilizationRegulatory cellsEffector phenotypeKiller cellsTreatment algorithmImmune activationTumor shrinkagePharmacodynamic markersImmune cellsClinical activityIL2 receptorHuman studies
2018
Evaluation of classical clinical endpoints as surrogates for overall survival in patients treated with immune checkpoint blockers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Kaufman HL, Schwartz LH, William WN, Sznol M, Fahrbach K, Xu Y, Masson E, Vergara-Silva A. Evaluation of classical clinical endpoints as surrogates for overall survival in patients treated with immune checkpoint blockers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal Of Cancer Research And Clinical Oncology 2018, 144: 2245-2261. PMID: 30132118, DOI: 10.1007/s00432-018-2738-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAntineoplastic AgentsEndpoint DeterminationHumansMolecular Targeted TherapyNeoplasmsRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSurvival AnalysisConceptsImmune checkpoint blockersOS hazard ratioPFS hazard ratioHazard ratioOverall survivalPFS ratesOS ratesCheckpoint blockersPooled analysisClinical endpointsSolid tumor patientsChemotherapy armTreatment armsOdds ratioTumor patientsPredictive valueChemotherapySystematic reviewImperfect surrogatePatientsEndpointBlockersCongress proceedingsSurvivalArm
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 rateEndocrine-related adverse events associated with immune checkpoint blockade and expert insights on their management
Sznol M, Postow MA, Davies MJ, Pavlick AC, Plimack ER, Shaheen M, Veloski C, Robert C. Endocrine-related adverse events associated with immune checkpoint blockade and expert insights on their management. Cancer Treatment Reviews 2017, 58: 70-76. PMID: 28689073, DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2017.06.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune-related adverse eventsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsCytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4Checkpoint inhibitorsEndocrine eventsAdverse eventsTypes of irAEsEndocrine-related adverse eventsT-lymphocyte antigen-4Replacement of hormonesDeath receptor-1Target organ damageClose patient monitoringImmune checkpoint blockadeNon-specific symptomsAppropriate laboratory testingImmune checkpoint proteinsCheckpoint blockadeGrade 1/2Organ damageClinical benefitAdrenal glandAntigen-4Endocrine functionGastrointestinal tractResults from an Integrated Safety Analysis of Urelumab, an Agonist Anti-CD137 Monoclonal Antibody
Segal NH, Logan TF, Hodi FS, McDermott D, Melero I, Hamid O, Schmidt H, Robert C, Chiarion-Sileni V, Ascierto PA, Maio M, Urba WJ, Gangadhar TC, Suryawanshi S, Neely J, Jure-Kunkel M, Krishnan S, Kohrt H, Sznol M, Levy R. Results from an Integrated Safety Analysis of Urelumab, an Agonist Anti-CD137 Monoclonal Antibody. Clinical Cancer Research 2017, 23: 1929-1936. PMID: 27756788, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1272.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreatment-related adverse eventsAdverse eventsPharmacodynamic activityCommon treatment-related adverse eventsLiver function test abnormalitiesImmuno-oncology agentsSerious adverse eventsAdvanced solid tumorsHepatic adverse eventsClin Cancer ResSignificant transaminitisMonotherapy studiesAdvanced cancerTest abnormalitiesIFN-inducible genesStandard treatmentClinical evaluationUrelumabSafety dataAgonist antibodySolid tumorsCancer ResDoseDosesWeeks
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 activitySafety Profile of Nivolumab Monotherapy: A Pooled Analysis of Patients With Advanced Melanoma
Weber JS, Hodi FS, Wolchok JD, Topalian SL, Schadendorf D, Larkin J, Sznol M, Long GV, Li H, Waxman IM, Jiang J, Robert C. Safety Profile of Nivolumab Monotherapy: A Pooled Analysis of Patients With Advanced Melanoma. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2016, 35: jco.2015.66.138. PMID: 28068177, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.66.1389.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreatment-related adverse eventsSelect adverse eventsObjective response rateImmune-modulating agentsTreatment-related select adverse eventsAdverse eventsNivolumab monotherapyAdvanced melanomaSafety profileGrade 3Grade treatment-related adverse eventsProgression-free survival benefitHigher objective response rateRenal adverse eventsPhase III trialsDrug-related deathsNumber of dosesIII trialsSurvival benefitMedian timePooled analysisSafety guidelinesRetrospective analysisSafety dataPatientsEfficacy 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAntibodies, MonoclonalAntineoplastic AgentsAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsFemaleHumansIpilimumabMaleMelanomaMucous MembraneNivolumabConceptsMedian 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 subtypesPembrolizumab for patients with melanoma or non-small-cell lung cancer and untreated brain metastases: early analysis of a non-randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial
Goldberg SB, Gettinger SN, Mahajan A, Chiang AC, Herbst RS, Sznol M, Tsiouris AJ, Cohen J, Vortmeyer A, Jilaveanu L, Yu J, Hegde U, Speaker S, Madura M, Ralabate A, Rivera A, Rowen E, Gerrish H, Yao X, Chiang V, Kluger HM. Pembrolizumab for patients with melanoma or non-small-cell lung cancer and untreated brain metastases: early analysis of a non-randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial. The Lancet Oncology 2016, 17: 976-983. PMID: 27267608, PMCID: PMC5526047, DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(16)30053-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProgressive brain metastasesUntreated brain metastasesBrain metastasis responseYale Cancer CenterBrain metastasesPhase 2 trialCell lung cancerAdverse eventsMetastasis responseCancer CenterLung cancerMelanoma cohortGrade 3 colitisGrade 3 fatigueGrade 3 pneumonitisPD-1 axisAcute kidney injuryNeurological adverse eventsPD-1 inhibitorsAcceptable safety profilePD-L1 expressionSystemic immunotherapyKidney injuryPrimary endpointNSCLC cohortCyclosporine for Dry Eye Associated With Nivolumab
Nguyen AT, Elia M, Materin MA, Sznol M, Chow J. Cyclosporine for Dry Eye Associated With Nivolumab. Cornea 2016, 35: 399-401. PMID: 26771550, DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000000724.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDry eye diseaseMetastatic melanomaTopical cyclosporineCorneal perforationDry eyeEye diseaseSevere dry eye symptomsBilateral dry eyesDry Eye AssociatedOcular surface inflammationSevere dry eyeDry eye symptomsImprovement of symptomsNivolumab therapyIntensive regimenSurface inflammationEye symptomsMetastatic diseaseClinical outcomesAggressive lubricationRight eyeCase reportNivolumabOcular surfaceAntitumor effects
2015
Exome sequencing identifies recurrent mutations in NF1 and RASopathy genes in sun-exposed melanomas
Krauthammer M, Kong Y, Bacchiocchi A, Evans P, Pornputtapong N, Wu C, McCusker JP, Ma S, Cheng E, Straub R, Serin M, Bosenberg M, Ariyan S, Narayan D, Sznol M, Kluger HM, Mane S, Schlessinger J, Lifton RP, Halaban R. Exome sequencing identifies recurrent mutations in NF1 and RASopathy genes in sun-exposed melanomas. Nature Genetics 2015, 47: 996-1002. PMID: 26214590, PMCID: PMC4916843, DOI: 10.1038/ng.3361.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAntineoplastic AgentsBenzimidazolesDNA Mutational AnalysisDrug Resistance, NeoplasmExomeGenetic Association StudiesGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseHumansInhibitory Concentration 50Kaplan-Meier EstimateLoss of HeterozygosityMaleMelanomaMutation, MissenseNeurofibromin 1Ras ProteinsSequence Analysis, RNASkin NeoplasmsSunlightTumor Cells, CulturedCombined 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 IIIOverall Survival and Long-Term Safety of Nivolumab (Anti–Programmed Death 1 Antibody, BMS-936558, ONO-4538) in Patients With Previously Treated Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Gettinger SN, Horn L, Gandhi L, Spigel DR, Antonia SJ, Rizvi NA, Powderly JD, Heist RS, Carvajal RD, Jackman DM, Sequist LV, Smith DC, Leming P, Carbone DP, Pinder-Schenck MC, Topalian SL, Hodi FS, Sosman JA, Sznol M, McDermott DF, Pardoll DM, Sankar V, Ahlers CM, Salvati M, Wigginton JM, Hellmann MD, Kollia GD, Gupta AK, Brahmer JR. Overall Survival and Long-Term Safety of Nivolumab (Anti–Programmed Death 1 Antibody, BMS-936558, ONO-4538) in Patients With Previously Treated Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2015, 33: 2004-2012. PMID: 25897158, PMCID: PMC4672027, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2014.58.3708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOverall survivalLong-term safetyAdvanced NSCLCLung cancerDeath-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor antibodyAdvanced non-small cell lung cancerNon-small cell lung cancerImmune checkpoint inhibitor antibodyTreatment-related adverse eventsCheckpoint inhibitor antibodyTreatment-related deathsMedian overall survivalMedian response durationAdvanced solid tumorsPhase I trialCell lung cancerRandomized clinical trialsFurther clinical developmentHuman immunoglobulin G4Nivolumab 1Nivolumab monotherapyExpansion cohortLast doseNonsquamous NSCLCAdverse eventsSurvival, 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 carcinoma
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 ResearchBlockade of the B7-H1/PD-1 Pathway as a Basis for Combination Anticancer Therapy
Sznol M. Blockade of the B7-H1/PD-1 Pathway as a Basis for Combination Anticancer Therapy. The Cancer Journal 2014, 20: 290-295. PMID: 25098290, DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000056.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPD-1/PD-L1 blockadePD-L1 blockadeT cell responsesTumor-specific T-cell responsesB7-H1/PDCell responsesOverall risk-benefit ratioAntitumor T-cell responsesTumor microenvironmentAnimal tumor model systemsAbundant preclinical dataAutoimmune-like toxicitiesSubset of patientsRecent clinical trialsRisk-benefit ratioT lymphocyte suppressionEarly clinical developmentActivated T lymphocytesTumor model systemsCombination anticancer therapyClinical responseDurable responsesDeath-1Metastatic melanomaPreclinical dataSurvival, Durable Tumor Remission, and Long-Term Safety in Patients With Advanced Melanoma Receiving Nivolumab
Topalian SL, Sznol M, McDermott DF, Kluger HM, Carvajal RD, Sharfman WH, Brahmer JR, Lawrence DP, Atkins MB, Powderly JD, Leming PD, Lipson EJ, Puzanov I, Smith DC, Taube JM, Wigginton JM, Kollia GD, Gupta A, Pardoll DM, Sosman JA, Hodi FS. Survival, Durable Tumor Remission, and Long-Term Safety in Patients With Advanced Melanoma Receiving Nivolumab. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2014, 32: 1020-1030. PMID: 24590637, PMCID: PMC4811023, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2013.53.0105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term safetyOverall survivalToxicity ratesTumor regressionResponse durationOngoing randomized clinical trialsDurable tumor remissionNivolumab-treated patientsMedian overall survivalMedian response durationPD-1 blockadeObjective tumor regressionMaintenance of responseCell death 1Randomized clinical trialsSimilar patient populationsActivated T cellsDrug discontinuationIntravenous nivolumabNivolumab therapyNivolumab treatmentTreatment discontinuationObjective responseAdvanced melanomaDeath-1
2013
Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab in Advanced Melanoma
Wolchok JD, Kluger H, Callahan MK, Postow MA, Rizvi NA, Lesokhin AM, Segal NH, Ariyan CE, Gordon RA, Reed K, Burke MM, Caldwell A, Kronenberg SA, Agunwamba BU, Zhang X, Lowy I, Inzunza HD, Feely W, Horak CE, Hong Q, Korman AJ, Wigginton JM, Gupta A, Sznol M. Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab in Advanced Melanoma. New England Journal Of Medicine 2013, 369: 122-133. PMID: 23724867, PMCID: PMC5698004, DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1302369.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsObjective response ratePhase 1 trialAdverse eventsConcurrent therapyAdvanced melanomaTumor regressionClinical activityGrade 3Distinct immunologic mechanismsManageable safety profileProlongs overall survivalDurable tumor regressionSupportive preclinical dataRegimen groupImmunologic mechanismsObjective responseOverall survivalIntravenous dosesSafety profileTumor reductionPreclinical dataIpilimumabNivolumabPatientsMaximum doses
2012
Radiosurgery for melanoma brain metastases in the ipilimumab era and the possibility of longer survival.
Knisely JP, Yu JB, Flanigan J, Sznol M, Kluger HM, Chiang VL. Radiosurgery for melanoma brain metastases in the ipilimumab era and the possibility of longer survival. Journal Of Neurosurgery 2012, 117: 227-33. PMID: 22702482, PMCID: PMC6098938, DOI: 10.3171/2012.5.jns111929.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntibodies, MonoclonalAntineoplastic AgentsBrain NeoplasmsCombined Modality TherapyCompassionate Use TrialsDisease-Free SurvivalFemaleHumansIpilimumabMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedNeoplasm StagingPrognosisProportional Hazards ModelsRadiosurgeryRetreatmentRetrospective StudiesConceptsMelanoma brain metastasesBrain metastasesPerformance statusMedian survivalDiagnosis-Specific Graded Prognostic Assessment (DS-GPA) scoreInstitutional review board-approved chart reviewSurvival rateGraded Prognostic Assessment scoreBrain metastasis diagnosisPrognostic assessment scoreSurvival of patientsNumber of metastasesDS-GPA scoreRadiation therapy usePrimary disease locationBrain oligometastasesIpilimumab groupIpilimumab useSalvage WBRTChart reviewOverall survivalPatient ageSystemic therapyTherapy useClinical variablesSafety, Activity, and Immune Correlates of Anti–PD-1 Antibody in Cancer
Topalian SL, Hodi FS, Brahmer JR, Gettinger SN, Smith DC, McDermott DF, Powderly JD, Carvajal RD, Sosman JA, Atkins MB, Leming PD, Spigel DR, Antonia SJ, Horn L, Drake CG, Pardoll DM, Chen L, Sharfman WH, Anders RA, Taube JM, McMiller TL, Xu H, Korman AJ, Jure-Kunkel M, Agrawal S, McDonald D, Kollia GD, Gupta A, Wigginton JM, Sznol M. Safety, Activity, and Immune Correlates of Anti–PD-1 Antibody in Cancer. New England Journal Of Medicine 2012, 366: 2443-2454. PMID: 22658127, PMCID: PMC3544539, DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1200690.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnti-PD-1 antibodyCell lung cancerRenal cell cancerObjective responseLung cancerAdverse eventsPD-L1Drug-related adverse eventsPD-1 ligand expressionCastration-resistant prostate cancerImmune-related causesPretreatment tumor specimensAdverse event profilePD-L1 expressionPD-1-PDCumulative response rateBMS-936558Immune correlatesL1 pathwayAdvanced melanomaComplete responseDeath-1PD-1Negative tumorsPositive tumors