Using Tebentafusp to treat metastatic uveal melanoma
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on February 7th, 2024
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Uveal melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer impacting the eyes, presents a distinct challenge compared to cutaneous melanoma. Once metastasis occurs, the prognosis is notably grim, with a median survival rate of approximately one year. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, commonly effective in cutaneous melanoma, prove ineffective in addressing uveal melanoma. Consequently, a study was conducted to assess the efficacy of Tebentafusp, a bispecific fusion receptor designed to enhance the neutralization of uveal melanoma cells enriched with gp100 by T-cells.
The phase 3 clinical trial involved 378 participants aged 18 years and above, all confirmed to have uveal melanoma metastasis through cytology and histology. To ensure consistency in immune response, individuals with HLA-A type 02:01 were selectively included in the study. Random assignment placed participants into either an experimental group receiving Tebentafusp or a control group treated with Pembrolizumab, Ipilimumab, or Dacarbazine. Tebentafusp was administered intravenously at a dose of 68 micrograms weekly. Following a 36-month follow-up, the researchers determined that Tebentafusp led to a 32% reduction in the risk of death. While this outcome is promising, future studies should compare Tebentafusp with a combination of Pembrolizumab or Ipilimumab and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, a common approach in treating cutaneous melanoma.
The phase 3 clinical trial involved 378 participants aged 18 years and above, all confirmed to have uveal melanoma metastasis through cytology and histology. To ensure consistency in immune response, individuals with HLA-A type 02:01 were selectively included in the study. Random assignment placed participants into either an experimental group receiving Tebentafusp or a control group treated with Pembrolizumab, Ipilimumab, or Dacarbazine. Tebentafusp was administered intravenously at a dose of 68 micrograms weekly. Following a 36-month follow-up, the researchers determined that Tebentafusp led to a 32% reduction in the risk of death. While this outcome is promising, future studies should compare Tebentafusp with a combination of Pembrolizumab or Ipilimumab and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, a common approach in treating cutaneous melanoma.