Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Metastatic melanoma historically carries a poor prognosis and until recently there have been few effective agents available to treat widely disseminated disease. Recognition of the immunogenic nature of melanoma has resulted in the development of various immunotherapeutic approaches, especially with regards to the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand (PD-L1). Antibodies targeting the PD-1 axis have shown enormous potential in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Here, we will review the immune basis for the disease and discuss approved immunotherapeutic options for advanced melanoma, as well as the current state of development of PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies and their importance in shaping the future of melanoma treatment.
Keywords: AE, adverse event; APC, antigen presenting cell; ASCO, American Society of Clinical Oncology; BMS-936559; CTLA-4, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; ITIM , immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif; ITSM, immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motif; Ig, immunoglobulin; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; MPDL3280A; NK, natural killer; ORR, objective response rate; OS, overall survival; PD, progressive disease; PD-1; PD-1, programmed cell death 1; PD-L1; PD-L1, programmed cell death ligand 1; PD-L2; PFS, progression free survival; TCR, T cell receptor; TIL, tumor infiltrating lymphocyte; gp100, glycoprotein 100 vaccine; immunotherapy; melanoma; nivolumab; pembrolizumab.