Evaluating long-term survival in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with ipilimumab

This study examined the long-term survival rates in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with ipilimumab.

A melanoma that has metastasized (spread) to other areas of the body is called metastatic melanoma. Patients with metastatic melanoma have had, in general, low rates of survival. Currently, researchers are testing drugs which may help to increase survival in these patients. Ipilimumab (Yervoy) is a drug which helps the immune system fight the cancer cells, that has been shown to improve survival in patients with metastatic melanoma. The current study followed patients who have been treated with ipilimumab in previous clinical trials to evaluate its long-term benefits on survival. 

This study included 444 patients with metastatic melanoma who had each taken part in one of three previous clinical trials. In each study, patients were given ipilimumab every 3 weeks, for up to 4 doses. Patients were either previously treated or did not receive any treatments for melanoma. All patients were followed up for another 4 years after the end of the clinical trials. The 4-year overall survival or OS (defined as the percentage of patients who have survived for 4 years after treatment) for patients who had received previous treatments for melanoma ranged from 13.8% to 28.4%. Patients who had not received previous treatments showed an even larger increase in OS (37.7% to 49.5%).

In summary, this study showed that treatment with ipilimumab increased long-term survival in patients with metastatic melanoma.

This study was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., the manufacturer of Yervoy.

Discuss with your doctor if ipilimumab might be appropriate for your situation.