Tinostamustine-nivolumab therapy is associated with antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced melanoma.

What was studied

This study looked at immune changes in people with advanced melanoma. They took tinostamustine with nivolumab in an early-phase trial. Most had melanoma that resisted checkpoint drugs. Blood samples from 15 of 17 patients were tested over time.

What they found

Immune cells such as T cells, NK cells and monocytes changed during treatment. In patients whose disease progressed, high baseline LDH went with fewer T cells. Immune responses to melanoma markers could be detected. This held despite heavy past treatment. CD4+ T cell responses were the main cellular pattern. Several patients had more antibodies to melanoma markers.

What it means for patients

The authors say the combination was linked to preserved immune function. They say it was also linked to immune activation that could be detected. This was in heavily treated patients.

Why it is not certain yet

The study included only 15 patients. It reports immune markers, not how long people lived. The patients had heavy past treatment. They also had high tumor burden. The abstract does not give a comparison group.

Source

Tinostamustine-nivolumab therapy is associated with antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced melanoma.

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