Genes used as predictive factors in advanced melanoma survival

The authors analyzed the role of certain genes in predicting survival in melanoma patients treated with tremelimumab (CP-675,206). 

In advanced melanoma (stage III/IV), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. Immunotherapy is an effective treatment for advanced melanoma. It uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Ipilimumab (Yervoy) is an approved immunotherapy for the treatment of advanced melanoma. It works by targeting CTLA-4 (a protein in the immune system) and making the immune system more active. Tremelimumab is another immunotherapy that targets the same protein. However, studies have shown that it does not improve overall survival (patients who are still alive after the treatment) when compared to standard chemotherapy.

Recent studies have shown that tumors can change the expression (production) of certain genes in the immune cells, which can affect the outcomes of patients undergoing immunotherapy.

Further research is needed to identify genes that could predict the progression or outcome of melanoma treated with tremelimumab.  

The authors aimed to identify the genes that could predict survival outcomes in melanoma patients treated with tremelimumab.

There were 478 patients analyzed in this phase III study. Group 1 had 218 melanoma patients. These patients were resistant to previous melanoma therapies and were receiving tremelimumab. Group 2 had 260 melanoma patients. These patients had not been previously treated and were receiving tremelimumab at the time of the study. The median (midpoint) follow-up was 297 days for group 1 and 386 days for group 2. 

Blood samples were taken from patients to determine the expression of 169 genes. The median survival for patients in group 1 was 8.8 months compared to 13 months for patients in group 2. There were 4 genes found to be predictive factors in determining melanoma survival in group 2. These genes were CTSD, PLA2G7, TXNRD1 and IRAK3. 

The authors concluded that expression levels of CTSD, PLA2G7, TXNRD1, and IRAK3 genes predicted survival of melanoma patients treated with tremelimumab. 

If you are considering tremelimumab as a treatment option, please consult your doctor for information on genetic testing.