2023
A bedside to bench study of anti-PD-1, anti-CD40, and anti-CSF1R indicates that more is not necessarily better
Djureinovic D, Weiss S, Krykbaeva I, Qu R, Vathiotis I, Moutafi M, Zhang L, Perdigoto A, Wei W, Anderson G, Damsky W, Hurwitz M, Johnson B, Schoenfeld D, Mahajan A, Hsu F, Miller-Jensen K, Kluger Y, Sznol M, Kaech S, Bosenberg M, Jilaveanu L, Kluger H. A bedside to bench study of anti-PD-1, anti-CD40, and anti-CSF1R indicates that more is not necessarily better. Molecular Cancer 2023, 22: 182. PMID: 37964379, PMCID: PMC10644655, DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01884-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntibodies, MonoclonalHumansMelanomaMiceNivolumabReceptor Protein-Tyrosine KinasesConceptsStable diseasePartial responseMacrophage populationsThree-drug regimenUnconfirmed partial responsePhase I trialLimited treatment optionsMonocyte/macrophage populationNon-classical monocytesMurine melanoma modelTreatment-related changesResultsThirteen patientsWorse survivalI trialInflammatory tumorPatient populationTreatment optionsImmune cellsDisease progressionMurine studiesPreclinical modelsResistant melanomaAntigen presentationMurine modelCyTOF analysis
2022
Coupled fibromodulin and SOX2 signaling as a critical regulator of metastatic outgrowth in melanoma
Oria VO, Zhang H, Zito CR, Rane CK, Ma XY, Provance OK, Tran TT, Adeniran A, Kluger Y, Sznol M, Bosenberg MW, Kluger HM, Jilaveanu LB. Coupled fibromodulin and SOX2 signaling as a critical regulator of metastatic outgrowth in melanoma. Cellular And Molecular Life Sciences 2022, 79: 377. PMID: 35737114, PMCID: PMC9226089, DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04364-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTumor suppressor Hippo pathwayNovel regulatory mechanismTumor vasculogenic mimicryMetastatic outgrowthExtracellular matrix componentsHippo pathwayRegulatory mechanismsMolecular eventsTumor-stroma interactionsCritical regulatorMetastatic competenceProgenitor markersProliferative stateFunctional roleFunctional studiesSOX2Vasculogenic mimicryDistinct phenotypesMatrix componentsEarly developmentFmodHigh expressionCritical processOutgrowthImportant roleT cell characteristics associated with toxicity to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with melanoma
Lozano AX, Chaudhuri AA, Nene A, Bacchiocchi A, Earland N, Vesely MD, Usmani A, Turner BE, Steen CB, Luca BA, Badri T, Gulati GS, Vahid MR, Khameneh F, Harris PK, Chen DY, Dhodapkar K, Sznol M, Halaban R, Newman AM. T cell characteristics associated with toxicity to immune checkpoint blockade in patients with melanoma. Nature Medicine 2022, 28: 353-362. PMID: 35027754, PMCID: PMC8866214, DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01623-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsImmune-related adverse eventsT-cell characteristicsIrAE developmentBlood samplesSevere immune-related adverse eventsAnti-PD-1 monotherapyCombination immune checkpoint inhibitorsT-cell receptor sequencingT cell abundanceCell receptor sequencingOrgan system involvementPeripheral blood samplesIrAE onsetCheckpoint inhibitorsAdverse eventsCheckpoint blockadeRNA sequencingTCR clonalityCombination therapyPatient cohortSystem involvementClinical managementTCR diversityImmunological stateAutoimmune 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
TIL in Melanoma—Similar Approaches, Different Results, Unanswered Questions
Sznol M. TIL in Melanoma—Similar Approaches, Different Results, Unanswered Questions. Clinical Cancer Research 2021, 27: 5156-5157. PMID: 34413160, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-2450.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBempegaldesleukin Plus Nivolumab in First-Line Metastatic Melanoma
Diab A, Tykodi SS, Daniels GA, Maio M, Curti BD, Lewis KD, Jang S, Kalinka E, Puzanov I, Spira AI, Cho DC, Guan S, Puente E, Nguyen T, Hoch U, Currie SL, Lin W, Tagliaferri MA, Zalevsky J, Sznol M, Hurwitz ME. Bempegaldesleukin Plus Nivolumab in First-Line Metastatic Melanoma. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2021, 39: 2914-2925. PMID: 34255535, PMCID: PMC8425826, DOI: 10.1200/jco.21.00675.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProgression-free survivalImmune-mediated adverse eventsMedian progression-free survivalObjective response rateMetastatic melanomaOverall survivalResponse rateAdverse eventsTarget lesionsGrade 3Stage III/IV melanomaEnd pointPhase II cohortComplete response rateMedian overall survivalPrimary end pointRadiologic evidenceUntreated patientsDurable responsesPolyfunctional responsesOS ratesBlood biomarkersComplete clearanceMedian changeExploratory biomarkersA Phase I Study of APX005M and Cabiralizumab with or without Nivolumab in Patients with Melanoma, Kidney Cancer, or Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Resistant to Anti-PD-1/PD-L1
Weiss SA, Djureinovic D, Jessel S, Krykbaeva I, Zhang L, Jilaveanu L, Ralabate A, Johnson B, Levit NS, Anderson G, Zelterman D, Wei W, Mahajan A, Trifan O, Bosenberg M, Kaech SM, Perry CJ, Damsky W, Gettinger S, Sznol M, Hurwitz M, Kluger HM. A Phase I Study of APX005M and Cabiralizumab with or without Nivolumab in Patients with Melanoma, Kidney Cancer, or Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Resistant to Anti-PD-1/PD-L1. Clinical Cancer Research 2021, 27: 4757-4767. PMID: 34140403, PMCID: PMC9236708, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-0903.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnti-PD-1/PD-L1Non-small cell lung cancerCell lung cancerRenal cell carcinomaPD-L1Lung cancerDisease progressionCommon treatment-related adverse eventsPD-1/PD-L1 inhibitorsTreatment-related adverse eventsPhase 2 doseSubstantial clinical challengeUnconfirmed partial responseDose-limiting toxicityPD-L1 inhibitorsPhase I trialDose-escalation designPro-inflammatory cytokinesMultiple tumor typesAsymptomatic elevationStable diseaseIntolerable toxicityAdverse eventsMedian durationPartial response
2020
Safety and efficacy of combination nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients with advanced melanoma: results from a North American expanded access program (CheckMate 218)
Hodi FS, Chapman PB, Sznol M, Lao CD, Gonzalez R, Smylie M, Daniels GA, Thompson JA, Kudchadkar R, Sharfman W, Atkins M, Spigel DR, Pavlick A, Monzon J, Kim KB, Ernst S, Khushalani NI, van Dijck W, Lobo M, Hogg D. Safety and efficacy of combination nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients with advanced melanoma: results from a North American expanded access program (CheckMate 218). Melanoma Research 2020, 31: 67-75. PMID: 33234846, PMCID: PMC7757740, DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdvanced melanomaEastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance statusUnresectable stage III/IV melanomaStage III/IV melanomaTreatment-related adverse eventsElevated lactate dehydrogenase levelBRAF wild-type tumorsOverall survival dataRandomized clinical trialsLactate dehydrogenase levelsAccess programBRAF-mutant tumorsRelevant patient subgroupsWild-type tumorsCombination nivolumabEligible patientsOS ratesCheckpoint inhibitorsTreatment discontinuationAdverse eventsPerformance statusUnacceptable toxicityMucosal melanomaPatient subgroupsClinical trialsTebentafusp, A TCR/Anti-CD3 Bispecific Fusion Protein Targeting gp100, Potently Activated Antitumor Immune Responses in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma
Middleton MR, McAlpine C, Woodcock VK, Corrie P, Infante JR, Steven NM, Evans TRJ, Anthoney A, Shoushtari AN, Hamid O, Gupta A, Vardeu A, Leach E, Naidoo R, Stanhope S, Lewis S, Hurst J, O’Kelly I, Sznol M. Tebentafusp, A TCR/Anti-CD3 Bispecific Fusion Protein Targeting gp100, Potently Activated Antitumor Immune Responses in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma. Clinical Cancer Research 2020, 26: 5869-5878. PMID: 32816891, PMCID: PMC9210997, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-1247.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAtaxia Telangiectasia Mutated ProteinsCD3 ComplexCD8-Positive T-LymphocytesCell ProliferationChemokine CXCL10Cytotoxicity, ImmunologicDisease-Free SurvivalFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticGp100 Melanoma AntigenHumansImmunityInterferon-gammaMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedNeoplasm ProteinsReceptors, Antigen, T-CellReceptors, CXCR3Recombinant Fusion ProteinsTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsT cellsBispecific fusion proteinMetastatic melanomaT cell receptorSerum CXCL10Multicenter phase I/II trialPhase I/II trialTreatment-related adverse eventsHigh-affinity T-cell receptorsAppearance of rashMetastatic cutaneous melanomaAntitumor immune responseOverall survival rateMetastatic uveal melanomaCytotoxic T cellsPathway-related markersTumor biopsy samplesMechanism of actionII trialAdverse eventsAdvanced melanomaBroad therapeutic potentialPatient survivalPatient cohortCutaneous melanomaBempegaldesleukin (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 CD8Bempegaldesleukin 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 IIIReversing 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 ResearchSurvival after checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic acral, mucosal and uveal melanoma
Klemen ND, Wang M, Rubinstein JC, Olino K, Clune J, Ariyan S, Cha C, Weiss SA, Kluger HM, Sznol M. Survival after checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic acral, mucosal and uveal melanoma. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2020, 8: e000341. PMID: 32209601, PMCID: PMC7103823, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000341.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCheckpoint inhibitorsOverall survivalMetastatic melanomaPrimary tumorLocal therapyCutaneous melanomaAnti-PD-1 antibodyAggressive multidisciplinary approachCutaneous primary tumorPrimary tumor histologyMedian overall survivalSingle institutional experienceRare melanoma subtypeMedian OSMetastatic diseaseProgressive diseaseAcral skinComplete responsePD-1PD-L1Uveal tractTumor histologyCombination therapyCTLA-4Longer survivalBempegaldesleukin 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
Treatment-Free Survival: A Novel Outcome Measure of the Effects of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition—A Pooled Analysis of Patients With Advanced Melanoma
Regan MM, Werner L, Rao S, Gupte-Singh K, Hodi FS, Kirkwood JM, Kluger HM, Larkin J, Postow MA, Ritchings C, Sznol M, Tarhini AA, Wolchok JD, Atkins MB, McDermott DF. Treatment-Free Survival: A Novel Outcome Measure of the Effects of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition—A Pooled Analysis of Patients With Advanced Melanoma. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2019, 37: 3350-3358. PMID: 31498030, PMCID: PMC6901280, DOI: 10.1200/jco.19.00345.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreatment-related adverse eventsTreatment-free survivalHigher treatment-related adverse eventsKaplan-Meier curvesTherapy initiationAdvanced melanomaICI therapyEnd pointGrade 3Outcome measuresLonger treatment-free survivalImmuno-oncology agentsSystemic therapy initiationThird end pointTreatment-free timeImmune checkpoint inhibitionSurvival end pointsEvent end pointsNovel outcome measuresCheckMate 067ICI cessationAdverse eventsTherapy cessationCheckpoint inhibitionPooled analysisImmunotherapy 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-L1
2018
Long-Term Survival of Patients With Melanoma With Active Brain Metastases Treated With Pembrolizumab on a Phase II Trial
Kluger HM, Chiang V, Mahajan A, Zito CR, Sznol M, Tran T, Weiss SA, Cohen JV, Yu J, Hegde U, Perrotti E, Anderson G, Ralabate A, Kluger Y, Wei W, Goldberg SB, Jilaveanu LB. Long-Term Survival of Patients With Melanoma With Active Brain Metastases Treated With Pembrolizumab on a Phase II Trial. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2018, 37: 52-60. PMID: 30407895, PMCID: PMC6354772, DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.00204.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrain metastasis responseBrain metastasesMetastasis responseAdverse eventsAnti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) agentsDeath ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressionModified Response Evaluation CriteriaPhase II clinical trialActive brain metastasesAsymptomatic brain metastasesCD8 cell densityNeurologic adverse eventsPembrolizumab-treated patientsUse of pembrolizumabMelanoma brain metastasesPrimary end pointLigand 1 expressionPhase II trialResponse Evaluation CriteriaT-cell infiltratesUntreated brain metastasesDeath ligand 1Two-year survivalOverall survival timeResult of progressionCombination Strategies PD-1/PD-L1 Antagonists
Sznol M. Combination Strategies PD-1/PD-L1 Antagonists. The Cancer Journal 2018, 24: 54-57. PMID: 29360729, DOI: 10.1097/ppo.0000000000000304.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPD-1/PD-L1 antagonistsPD-L1 antagonistsClinical antitumor activityEarly clinical developmentClinical trial designOptimal combination partnersSuboptimal responsePromising regimensCombination partnersMechanisms of resistanceCombination trialsClinical progressIndividual patientsOptimal doseBiomarker strategiesTrial designClinical developmentOverall outcomeAntagonistPatientsPrior exposureAntitumor activityRegimensAgentsInnateA Serum Protein Signature Associated with Outcome after Anti–PD-1 Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma
Weber JS, Sznol M, Sullivan RJ, Blackmon S, Boland G, Kluger HM, Halaban R, Bacchiocchi A, Ascierto PA, Capone M, Oliveira C, Meyer K, Grigorieva J, Asmellash SG, Roder J, Roder H. A Serum Protein Signature Associated with Outcome after Anti–PD-1 Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma. Cancer Immunology Research 2018, 6: 79-86. PMID: 29208646, DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-17-0412.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAcute phase reactantsCheckpoint inhibitorsOverall survivalPhase reactantsIpilimumab-treated patientsPD-1 blockadeTrials of nivolumabBetter overall survivalIndependent patient cohortsPretreatment serumPD-1Melanoma patientsValidation cohortMetastatic melanomaMultipeptide vaccinePatient cohortPooled analysisWorse outcomesClinical dataPatientsMultivariate analysisComplement cascadeMass spectrometry analysisNivolumabCohort