Treatment Information

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Melanoma treatment details. Biologic therapy.

University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Treatments:Biologic therapyHospital:University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Feb 2010

Description:

Patients:
This phase II study involved 251 patients with relapsed or refractory melanoma. The median age was 53 years and 60% were male.

Treatment:
Patients were treated with the biologic therapy agent tremelimumab, which is a monoclonal antibody that binds to a protein called CTLA-4 and helps the immune system attack tumor cells.

Toxicities:
There were two treatment-related deaths due to sudden death and diverticular perforation. Grade 3/4 diarrhea, fatigue, and colitis were also reported.

Results:
The median overall survival was 10.0 months.

Support:
This study was supported by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, makers of Tremelimumab.

Correspondence: Dr. John M. Kirkwood; email: [email protected]



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