Dr. Triebel on the Rationale for a Novel Immunotherapy Combination in Melanoma

Frederic Triebel, MD, PhD, chief scientific officer and chief medical director, Immutep Ltd, discusses the rationale for a novel immunotherapy combination in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

An ongoing study is looking at combining PD-1 inhibition, specifically pembrolizumab (Keytruda), with antigen-presenting cells in an attempt to block 2 checkpoints concurrently. Approximately 30% of patients with a “hot tumor” microenvironment will respond to anti-PD—L1 therapy, says Triebel. By bringing together 2 checkpoint inhibitors, investigators hope to broaden the utility of immunotherapy in melanoma.

In the trial, patients were given a low dose of the soluble LAG-3 protein, eftilagimod alpha (IMP321). No significant adverse events were reported in patients who received the 1 mg dose, or those who were escalated to receive 6 mg, and subsequently, 30 mg, says Triebel. Phase II trials are also underway in frontline and second-line lung cancer as well as in head and neck cancer, he concludes.