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 therapy
2020
Bempegaldesleukin plus nivolumab in untreated, unresectable or metastatic melanoma: Phase III PIVOT IO 001 study design
Khushalani NI, Diab A, Ascierto PA, Larkin J, Sandhu S, Sznol M, Koon HB, Jarkowski A, Zhou M, Statkevich P, Geese WJ, Long GV. Bempegaldesleukin plus nivolumab in untreated, unresectable or metastatic melanoma: Phase III PIVOT IO 001 study design. Future Oncology 2020, 16: 2165-2175. PMID: 32723187, DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0351.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMetastatic melanomaKey secondary end pointEnd pointSafety/tolerabilityObjective response ratePD-1 inhibitorsPrimary end pointSecondary end pointsFirst-line therapyProgression-free survivalNatural killer cellsOverall survivalSurvival benefitAdvanced melanomaKiller cellsClinical trialsEffector TClinical activityNivolumabBempegaldesleukinResponse rateMelanomaPathway agonistStudy designPhase III
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
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
Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab in Patients With Advanced Melanoma: Updated Survival, Response, and Safety Data in a Phase I Dose-Escalation Study
Callahan MK, Kluger H, Postow MA, Segal NH, Lesokhin A, Atkins MB, Kirkwood JM, Krishnan S, Bhore R, Horak C, Wolchok JD, Sznol M. Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab in Patients With Advanced Melanoma: Updated Survival, Response, and Safety Data in a Phase I Dose-Escalation Study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2017, 36: jco.2017.72.285. PMID: 29040030, PMCID: PMC5946731, DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.72.2850.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhase I dose-escalation studyTreatment-related adverse eventsI dose-escalation studyDose-escalation studyAdvanced melanomaOverall survivalAdverse eventsOS ratesClinical activityGrade 3Common grade 3Doses of nivolumabDurable clinical activityModified WHO criteriaNivolumab Plus IpilimumabTreatment-related deathsUntreated advanced melanomaImmune checkpoint inhibitorsMedian overall survivalObjective response rateLong-term followSubsequent clinical developmentConcurrent nivolumabCheckpoint inhibitorsExpansion cohortPhase Ib Study of Utomilumab (PF-05082566), a 4-1BB/CD137 Agonist, in Combination with Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Tolcher AW, Sznol M, Hu-Lieskovan S, Papadopoulos KP, Patnaik A, Rasco DW, Di Gravio D, Huang B, Gambhire D, Chen Y, Thall AD, Pathan N, Schmidt EV, Chow LQM. Phase Ib Study of Utomilumab (PF-05082566), a 4-1BB/CD137 Agonist, in Combination with Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. Clinical Cancer Research 2017, 23: 5349-5357. PMID: 28634283, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1243.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntibodies, MonoclonalAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsCombined Modality TherapyDiagnostic ImagingDrug MonitoringFemaleHumansImmunoglobulin GMaleMaximum Tolerated DoseMiddle AgedMolecular Targeted TherapyNeoplasm StagingNeoplasmsRetreatmentT-Lymphocyte SubsetsTreatment OutcomeTumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9ConceptsAdvanced solid tumorsSolid tumorsTreatment-emergent adverse eventsPeripheral blood CD8Phase Ib studyTreatment-related discontinuationsDose-limiting toxicityCostimulatory receptor 4Event continual reassessment methodT cell costimulatory receptor 4Clin Cancer ResSupport further investigationBlood CD8Partial responseAdverse eventsDose escalationReceptor 4Clinical activityT cellsIb studyCombination treatmentContinual reassessment methodPatientsGrade 1Cancer Res
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, 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
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
Advances in the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma: New Immunomodulatory Agents
Sznol M. Advances in the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma: New Immunomodulatory Agents. Seminars In Oncology 2012, 39: 192-203. PMID: 22484191, DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2012.01.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNew immunomodulatory agentsImmunomodulatory agentsMetastatic melanomaT cell activationT cellsAdverse eventsDendritic cellsClinical activityOngoing phase III trialsRandomized phase III studyCo-inhibitory receptor PD-1Co-stimulatory antibodiesMajor adverse eventsPhase III studyPhase III trialsReceptor PD-1Durable clinical responsesImmune cell subsetsSubsequent clinical trialsParticular T cellsActivated T cellsMechanism of actionAdvanced diseaseClinical responseIII study
2011
Molecular 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 ResearchConceptsImmune 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
2010
Clinical Experiences With Anti-CD137 and Anti-PD1 Therapeutic Antibodies
Ascierto PA, Simeone E, Sznol M, Fu YX, Melero I. Clinical Experiences With Anti-CD137 and Anti-PD1 Therapeutic Antibodies. Seminars In Oncology 2010, 37: 508-516. PMID: 21074066, DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2010.09.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDurable objective responsesPotent cellular immunityAnti-CD137 antibodyCellular immune responsesLigand PD-L1Reasonable safety profileSevere liver toxicityTumor response criteriaTransplantable murine tumorsDose-dependent effectSurface of antigenImmunostimulatory mAbsAntitumor immunityObjective responseDeath-1PD-L1Tumor immunityCellular immunitySafety profileLiver toxicityClinical activityT lymphocytesImmune responseTumor antigensAgonist antibody