Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma response to nivolumab. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walocko, Frances; Scheier, Benjamin; Harms, Paul; Fecher, Leslie; Lao, Christopher
• Is Part Of: Journal for immunotherapy of cancer. Volume 4:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 4
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Merkel cell carcinoma -- Nivolumab -- PD-L1 -- Immunotherapy -- Polyomavirus -- Case report; Cancer -- Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Tumors -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.99406105
• DOI: 10.1186/s40425-016-0186-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-1426

Abstract

Abstract Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy with limited treatment options. Several lines of evidence support the programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) axis as a likely contributor to immune evasion in MCC. Case presentation We report a case of a patient with metastatic MCC with a significant and durable response to nivolumab, a humanized IgG4 monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibody. Conclusion Immunotherapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors has become a rational and promising treatment option for MCC in the advanced or metastatic disease. Clinical trials are currently in progress to further evaluate these novel therapeutic agents.