A Study of the Effects of Anti-PD1 Adjuvant Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy on Features of Atypical/Dysplastic Nevi in Patients With Stage IIB-IIIC Melanoma

Summary

This study will examine the impact of anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1) therapy given in the approved adjuvant therapeutic regimens upon the morphologic, histopathologic, molecular and immunologic as well as genomic features of atypical/dysplastic nevi (A/DN) in patients with a prior documented melanoma of Stages IIB, IIC, IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC and concurrent presence of two or more atypical nevi.

Detailed description

Given the established efficacy of anti-PD1 therapy as an adjuvant treatment in both advanced nodal and earlier stage deep primary node negative melanoma, this study hypothesizes that anti-PD1 therapy may provide a basis for effective therapeutic prevention. To study if anti-PD1 therapy can help prevent the development of melanoma, this study will examine its effects upon atypical/dysplastic nevi, which are well established as non-obligate pre-cursor lesions that are markers of increased risk of melanoma. This single agent, adjuvant study will evaluate the impact of adjuvant anti-PD1 therapy on morphology, histopathology, immunologic/molecular features, and gene expression of atypical/dysplastic nevi present in patients with stage IIB-III melanoma. This study aims to determine if anti-PD1 therapy will increase CD8 T cell responses to melanoma antigens, resulting in immune surveillance and anti-tumor immune responses within A/DN. It postulates that in response to anti-PD1 therapy, the aggregate pigmentation of total nevi including atypical/dysplastic nevi and benign melanocytic nevi will decrease with a measurable morphologic response. This study also asserts that there will be histopathologic changes within A/DN including increased density of immune infiltrate and increased presence of regression features. Increased anti-tumor immune response measured by increased CD8, IFN-y, and PD-1 expression within nevi is anticipated, along with a decrease in genes involved in pathways of melanomagenesis, pigmentation, and inflammation.

Arms & interventions

• DrugSingle agent, adjuvant anti-PD1 therapy

  One of the following Single-agent, adjuvant anti-PD1 therapies: Nivolumab is a type of targeted therapy drug called an immune checkpoint inhibitor (a type of immunotherapy). It is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the protein PD-1 on the surface of immune cells called T cells. It works by keeping cancer cells from suppressing the immune system. Dose = 240 mg IV every 2 weeks/480 mg every 4 weeks or, Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody and a type of immune checkpoint inhibitor that's used in cancer immunotherapy. It works by attaching to the PD-1 protein on the surface of T cells, which are immune cells. This prevents cancer cells from suppressing the immune system, allowing the immune system to attack and kill the cancer cells. Dose = 200 mg IV every 3 weeks/ 400 mg every 6 weeks

Outcome measures

Eligibility criteria