Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Studies carried out in vitro and in a mouse model have shown that BRAF inhibitors enhance the effects of IFN-? on BRAFV600E melanoma cells through the inhibition of ERK. Therefore, the combination of vemurafenib and IFN-? in patients with BRAFV600E melanoma may provide therapeutic benefits; MEK inhibition may prevent the reactivation of the MAPK pathway induced by BRAF inhibitor resistance.Patients and methods
In a phase I study, adult patients with advanced BRAFV600-mutated melanoma were treated with vemurafenib?+?PEG-IFN-?-2b or vemurafenib?+?cobimetinib?+?PEG-IFN-?-2b, to assess the safety of the combination and the upregulation of IFN-?/? receptor-1 (IFNAR1).Results
Eight patients were treated; 59 adverse events with four serious ones (three related to study treatments) were reported. Patients with a pre-treatment IFNAR1 expression on???35% melanoma cells had a median progression-free survival of 12.0 months (range: 5.6-18.4 months) and a median overall survival of 31.0 months (range: 19.8-42.2 months), while patients with a pre-treatment IFNAR1 expression on?>?35% of melanoma cells had a median progression-free survival of 4.0 months (range: 0-8.8; p?=?0.03), and a median overall survival of 5 months (p?=?0.02). Following treatment, responders had higher levels of growth-suppressor genes, including GAS1 and DUSP1, and genes involved in a metabolically robust immune response, including FAP.Conclusion
Our study supports the overall safety of the vemurafenib?+?PEG-IFN-?-2b?+?cobimetinib combination. IFNAR1 expression levels correlated with response to treatment, including survival. Vemurafenib?+?PEG-IFN-?-2b?+?cobimetinib would have difficulty finding a niche in the current treatment scenario for advanced melanoma, but we speculate that our findings may contribute to identify subjects particularly responsive to treatment.Trial registration
The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01959633). Registered 10 October 2013, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01959633.
SUBMITTER: Simeone E
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7789377 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Simeone Ester E Scognamiglio Giosuè G Capone Mariaelena M Giannarelli Diana D Grimaldi Antonio M AM Mallardo Domenico D Madonna Gabriele G Curvietto Marcello M Esposito Assunta A Sandomenico Fabio F Sabbatino Francesco F Bayless Nicholas L NL Warren Sarah S Ong SuFey S Botti Gerardo G Flaherty Keith T KT Ferrone Soldano S Ascierto Paolo A PA
Journal of translational medicine 20210106 1
<h4>Background</h4>Studies carried out in vitro and in a mouse model have shown that BRAF inhibitors enhance the effects of IFN-α on BRAFV600E melanoma cells through the inhibition of ERK. Therefore, the combination of vemurafenib and IFN-α in patients with BRAFV600E melanoma may provide therapeutic benefits; MEK inhibition may prevent the reactivation of the MAPK pathway induced by BRAF inhibitor resistance.<h4>Patients and methods</h4>In a phase I study, adult patients with advanced BRAFV600-m ...[more]