2024
GP100 expression is variable in intensity in melanoma
Mann J, Hasson N, Su D, Adeniran A, Smalley K, Djureinovic D, Jilaveanu L, Schoenfeld D, Kluger H. GP100 expression is variable in intensity in melanoma. Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy 2024, 73: 191. PMID: 39105816, PMCID: PMC11303354, DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03776-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGp100 expressionCutaneous melanomaTreatment of cutaneous melanomaAdvanced cutaneous melanomaT-cell engagersImprove patient selectionMetastatic melanomaUveal melanomaMetastatic samplesPatient selectionClinical trialsMelanomaQuantitative immunofluorescence methodGp100Improve outcomesImmunofluorescence methodTherapeutic intentDrugCellular productsExpressionTebentafuspImmunohistochemistryCauses of death and patterns of metastatic disease at the end of life for patients with advanced melanoma in the immunotherapy era
Lee D, McNamara M, Yang A, Yaskolko M, Kluger H, Tran T, Olino K, Clune J, Sznol M, Ishizuka J. Causes of death and patterns of metastatic disease at the end of life for patients with advanced melanoma in the immunotherapy era. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 2024, 37: 847-853. PMID: 39073002, DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13188.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSite of metastasisPattern of metastatic diseaseMelanoma mortalityRetrospective observational cohort studyCause of cancer mortalityDistant lymph nodesObservational cohort studyDiagnosis to deathImmunotherapy eraAdvanced melanomaMetastatic diagnosisMetastatic diseaseMetastatic melanomaImmunotherapy treatmentRespiratory failureCause of deathMedian timeLymph nodesTherapeutic advancesCohort studyMelanomaImmunotherapyMechanism of deathPatientsEnd of lifeCauses of death and patterns of metastatic disease at the end of life for patients with advanced melanoma in the immunotherapy era.
Lee D, Yang A, McNamara M, Kluger H, Tran T, Olino K, Clune J, Sznol M, Ishizuka J. Causes of death and patterns of metastatic disease at the end of life for patients with advanced melanoma in the immunotherapy era. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2024, 42: e21522-e21522. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.e21522.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImmune checkpoint inhibitorsYale Cancer CenterAdvanced melanomaMetastatic diseaseMetastatic melanomaRespiratory failureSite of metastatic diseasePattern of metastatic diseaseDied of respiratory failureAnti-CTLA4 treatmentRetrospective observational cohort studyAnti-PD1 therapyDistant lymph nodesPatients aged >Site of diseaseSurvival of patientsObservational cohort studyMulti-system involvementDiagnosis to deathImmunotherapy eraAnti-PD1Checkpoint inhibitorsInstitutional review boardMetastatic sitesMetastatic diagnosisMelanocortin-1 Receptor Expression as a Marker of Progression in Melanoma
Su D, Djureinovic D, Schoenfeld D, Marquez-Nostra B, Olino K, Jilaveanu L, Kluger H. Melanocortin-1 Receptor Expression as a Marker of Progression in Melanoma. JCO Precision Oncology 2024, 8: e2300702. PMID: 38662983, PMCID: PMC11513442, DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00702.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMC1R expressionMelanoma progressionAssociated with shorter survivalStages of melanoma progressionCases of benign neviChronic sun exposureMarkers of progressionHuman melanoma tissuesBreslow thicknessMelanocortin-1Metastatic melanomaOverall survivalPrimary melanomaMetastatic tumorsMelanoma cohortReceptor expressionPredictive biomarkersAggressive melanomaPrimary lesionTissue microarrayShorter survivalMale sexQuantitative immunofluorescenceBenign neviClinical trialsVascular mimicry as a facilitator of melanoma brain metastasis
Provance O, Oria V, Tran T, Caulfield J, Zito C, Aguirre-Ducler A, Schalper K, Kluger H, Jilaveanu L. Vascular mimicry as a facilitator of melanoma brain metastasis. Cellular And Molecular Life Sciences 2024, 81: 188. PMID: 38635031, PMCID: PMC11026261, DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05217-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVascular mimicryBrain metastasesMouse model of metastatic melanomaIncreased risk of metastasisAssociated with tumor volumeMelanoma brain metastasesRisk of metastasisSurvival of miceFuture treatment regimensCell line modelsTumor suppressor pathwayMetastatic melanomaTumor volumeSolid tumorsTreatment regimensTumor typesPoor prognosisHippo tumor suppressor pathwayIncreased riskMouse modelDownstream targets YAPMelanomaMetastasisSuppressor pathwayTumor
2023
Leptomeningeal 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 ResearchA Phase II Trial of the CD40 Agonist Sotigalimab (APX005M) in Combination with Nivolumab in Subjects with Metastatic Melanoma with Disease Progression on Anti-PD-1
Weiss S, Sznol M, Shaheen M, Berciano-Guerrero M, Couselo E, Rodríguez-Abreu D, Boni V, Schuchter L, Gonzalez-Cao M, Arance A, Wei W, Ganti A, Hauke R, Berrocal A, Iannotti N, Hsu F, Kluger H. A Phase II Trial of the CD40 Agonist Sotigalimab (APX005M) in Combination with Nivolumab in Subjects with Metastatic Melanoma with Disease Progression on Anti-PD-1. Clinical Cancer Research 2023, 30: 74-81. PMID: 37535056, PMCID: PMC10767304, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0475.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsObjective response ratePhase II trialAdverse eventsPartial responseDisease progressionII trialGrade 3 adverse eventsAnti PD-1CD40 agonist antibodyElevated liver functionTreatment-related SAEsCommon adverse eventsActivation of CD40Subset of patientsFavorable safety profileAntigen presenting cellsStable diseaseMedian durationAdvanced melanomaAdditional patientsLiver functionSafety profileMetastatic melanomaPreclinical dataPresenting cellsSubsets of IFN Signaling Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Patients with Melanoma.
Horowitch B, Lee D, Ding M, Martinez-Morilla S, Aung T, Ouerghi F, Wang X, Wei W, Damsky W, Sznol M, Kluger H, Rimm D, Ishizuka J. Subsets of IFN Signaling Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Patients with Melanoma. Clinical Cancer Research 2023, 29: 2908-2918. PMID: 37233452, PMCID: PMC10524955, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0215.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsHuman melanoma cell linesMelanoma cell linesPD-L1Validation cohortYale-New Haven HospitalCombination of ipilimumabPD-L1 markersImmune checkpoint blockadePD-L1 biomarkerNew Haven HospitalSTAT1 levelsCell linesWestern blot analysisCheckpoint inhibitorsCheckpoint blockadeClinical responseOverall survivalImproved survivalResistance of cancersMetastatic melanomaMelanoma responsePredict responseTreatment responseDistinct patternsMelanoma in pregnancy
Czeyda-Pommersheim F, Kluger H, Langdon J, Menias C, VanBuren W, Leventhal J, Baumann R, Revzin M. Melanoma in pregnancy. Abdominal Radiology 2023, 48: 1740-1751. PMID: 36719425, DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03796-8.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus Statements
2022
Unilateral Pneumonitis and Hydropneumothorax Following Pembrolizumab
Sanchez A, Kahn P, Minerowicz C, Kluger H. Unilateral Pneumonitis and Hydropneumothorax Following Pembrolizumab. Journal Of Brown Hospital Medicine 2022, 2 DOI: 10.56305/001c.39747.Peer-Reviewed Case Reports and Technical NotesCheckpoint inhibitor pneumonitisTransbronchial biopsy resultsBronchoalveolar lavage fluidProgressive dyspneaDry coughPembrolizumab monotherapyLavage fluidRadiographic findingsBiopsy resultsMetastatic melanomaPleural fluidPneumonitisHydropneumothoraxPembrolizumabDyspneaMonotherapyCoughPneumoniaMelanomaSymptomsInfectionWeeksTumor mutational burden (TMB) in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-naïve and -experienced patients with metastatic melanoma treated with lifileucel, a tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy.
Kluger H, Sarnaik A, Chesney J, Lewis K, Weber J, Gogas H, In G, Terheyden P, Lee S, Jagasia M, Masteller E, Qi R, Gontcharova V, Shi W, Fiaz R, Sulur G, Wu R, Chen G, Thomas S. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-naïve and -experienced patients with metastatic melanoma treated with lifileucel, a tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2022, 40: 9524-9524. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.9524.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHigh tumor mutational burdenObjective response rateTumor mutational burdenCase-control studyAdvanced melanomaMetastatic melanomaTumor harvestResponse rateCell therapyT cell receptor repertoireLymphocyte cell therapyTumor microenvironment profilesImmune checkpoint inhibitorsPercentage of patientsTreatment of patientsHigh TMB groupMut/MbLogistic regression analysisICI exposureICI therapyRECIST v1.1Checkpoint inhibitorsStudy entryTMB groupBRAF statusClinical predictors of longer survival in patients with BRAFV600-mutated metastatic melanoma receiving immunotherapy prior to BRAF/MEK inhibition in the metastatic setting.
Kahn A, Perry C, Etts K, Kluger H, Sznol M. Clinical predictors of longer survival in patients with BRAFV600-mutated metastatic melanoma receiving immunotherapy prior to BRAF/MEK inhibition in the metastatic setting. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2022, 40: 9555-9555. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.9555.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBRAF/MEKiFirst-line immunotherapyBRAF/MEK inhibitionBRAF V600Metastatic melanomaLonger survivalAdverse eventsMedian durationMost patientsBone metastasesClinical predictorsDisease progressionMEK inhibitionAdvanced BRAF V600ECOG PS 0Median ECOG PSFirst-line settingKaplan-Meier methodMost common sitePredictors of survivalECOG PSMedian LDHData cutoffMetastatic settingMedian survival
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 profileLifileucel, a Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy, in Metastatic Melanoma
Sarnaik AA, Hamid O, Khushalani NI, Lewis KD, Medina T, Kluger HM, Thomas SS, Domingo-Musibay E, Pavlick AC, Whitman ED, Martin-Algarra S, Corrie P, Curti BD, Oláh J, Lutzky J, Weber JS, Larkin JMG, Shi W, Takamura T, Jagasia M, Qin H, Wu X, Chartier C, Finckenstein F, Fardis M, Kirkwood JM, Chesney JA. Lifileucel, a Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy, in Metastatic Melanoma. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2021, 39: 2656-2666. PMID: 33979178, PMCID: PMC8376325, DOI: 10.1200/jco.21.00612.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsObjective response rateDisease control rateAdvanced melanomaPrimary refractoryControl rateMetastatic melanomaTreatment optionsInterleukin-2Investigator-assessed objective response rateHigh-dose interleukin-2Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte TherapyImmune checkpoint inhibitorsPrimary end pointTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesEffective treatment optionLimited treatment optionsAdoptive cell therapyMajor unmet needLymphodepletion regimenPrior therapyCheckpoint inhibitorsAdverse eventsDurable responsesMedian durationPartial responseCirculating clonally expanded T cells reflect functions of tumor-infiltrating T cells
Lucca LE, Axisa PP, Lu B, Harnett B, Jessel S, Zhang L, Raddassi K, Zhang L, Olino K, Clune J, Singer M, Kluger HM, Hafler DA. Circulating clonally expanded T cells reflect functions of tumor-infiltrating T cells. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2021, 218: e20200921. PMID: 33651881, PMCID: PMC7933991, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200921.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTumor-infiltrating T cellsT cellsUnique transcriptional patternsFeatures of exhaustionLongitudinal immune monitoringPeripheral immune environmentsT cell responsesT cell functionSingle-cell levelTranscriptional patternsTCR sharingTerminal exhaustionImmune environmentImmune monitoringCancer immunotherapyMetastatic melanomaEffector functionsCell responsesTumor tissueGene signatureTumorsCell functionImmunotherapyTCRαβBloodMycophenolate as Primary Treatment for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Induced Acute Kidney Injury in a Patient with Concurrent Immunotherapy-Associated Diabetes: A Case Report.
Jessel S, Austin M, Kluger HM. Mycophenolate as Primary Treatment for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Induced Acute Kidney Injury in a Patient with Concurrent Immunotherapy-Associated Diabetes: A Case Report. Clinical Oncology Case Reports 2021, 4 PMID: 33763663, PMCID: PMC7985664.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAcute kidney injuryImmune checkpoint inhibitorsKidney injuryCheckpoint inhibitorsT cellsImmune-related adverse eventsCycles of nivolumabEffective frontline therapyAggressive fluid resuscitationSteroid-sparing agentRegulatory T cellsInitiation of insulinT cell responsesCytotoxic T cellsMycophenolate mofetilAdverse eventsFrontline therapyRenal functionComplete responseFluid resuscitationKidney functionCase reportMetastatic melanomaPrimary treatmentTumor types
2020
Melanoma brain metastases have lower T-cell content and microvessel density compared to matched extracranial metastases
Weiss SA, Zito C, Tran T, Heishima K, Neumeister V, McGuire J, Adeniran A, Kluger H, Jilaveanu LB. Melanoma brain metastases have lower T-cell content and microvessel density compared to matched extracranial metastases. Journal Of Neuro-Oncology 2020, 152: 15-25. PMID: 32974852, PMCID: PMC7910371, DOI: 10.1007/s11060-020-03619-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsT-cell contentMelanoma brain metastasesPD-L1 expressionLower microvessel densityMicrovessel densityBrain metastasesExtracranial metastasesMacrophage contentB cellsProspective therapeutic clinical trialsTumor-infiltrating T cellsImmune-modulating drugsImmune cell subsetsTherapeutic clinical trialsExtracerebral metastasesHigh CD68Low CD3Low CD8Systemic therapyIntracerebral metastasesMetastatic sitesCell subsetsMetastatic melanomaImmune cellsClinical trialsElective Colectomy in a Patient with Active Ulcerative Colitis and Metastatic Melanoma Enabling Successful Treatment with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.
Perdigoto AL, Tran T, Patel N, Clark P, Patell K, Stamatouli AM, Reddy V, Clune J, Herold KC, Robert ME, Kluger HM. Elective Colectomy in a Patient with Active Ulcerative Colitis and Metastatic Melanoma Enabling Successful Treatment with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Clinical Oncology Case Reports 2020, 3 PMID: 33778814, PMCID: PMC7993656.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCheckpoint inhibitor therapyElective colectomyUlcerative colitisInhibitor therapyMetastatic melanomaImmune-related adverse eventsExcellent tumor responseImmune checkpoint inhibitorsSevere ulcerative colitisActive ulcerative colitisCheckpoint inhibitor immunotherapyCheckpoint inhibitor treatmentInflammatory bowel diseaseEffective treatment optionBenefits of treatmentImmune system activationTumor cell destructionCheckpoint inhibitorsAdvanced malignanciesAdverse eventsSelect patientsBowel diseaseAutoimmune diseasesTreatment optionsTumor response19. 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 cellsSystemic Therapy for Brain Metastases: Melanoma
Weiss S, Kluger H. Systemic Therapy for Brain Metastases: Melanoma. 2020, 235-244. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-42958-4_16.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMelanoma brain metastasesIntracranial response ratesBrain metastasesClinical trialsResponse rateAnti-PD-1 monotherapyCentral nervous system metastasesExtracranial metastatic sitesNervous system metastasesSystemic therapy approachesMultiple clinical trialsSystemic therapySystemic treatmentAdvanced melanomaImmune checkpointsMetastatic sitesTherapeutic challengePatient survivalMetastatic melanomaExtracranial sitesStereotactic radiosurgeryMetastasisMutant BRAFSignificant causeMEK inhibition