A new Dutch study offers hope for patients with advanced melanoma who experience disease progression after initial immunotherapy. Researchers found that rechallenging with the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab (IPINIVO) resulted in meaningful responses and a manageable safety profile.
The study, based on data from the nationwide Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry, analysed 73 patients who had previously received ipilimumab-containing treatment. Of these, 41 were initially treated with IPINIVO, while 32 received ipilimumab monotherapy (IPI). Upon rechallenge with IPINIVO, objective response rates were 36.1% and 40.0% respectively.
Although median progression-free survival (PFS) after rechallenge was relatively shor, 2.8 months for those who initially received IPINIVO and 5.6 months for those first treated with IPI, responders to the rechallenge therapy experienced a median PFS of 18.4 months, indicating potential for long-term benefit in select patients.
The safety profile remained consistent with known effects of immunotherapy, with grade 3 or higher immune-related side effects reported in around 40% of patients. Notably, nearly half of patients showed differing responses to initial and rechallenge treatments, and 20.5% responded only to the second course.
Researchers concluded that IPINIVO rechallenge represents a viable treatment option for certain melanoma patients, providing renewed therapeutic opportunity after progression. Further studies are needed to determine which patients are most likely to benefit.
Reference
van Dijk EJ et al. Rechallenge of ipilimumab and nivolumab in advanced melanoma patients after previous ipilimumab-based therapy. Br J Cancer. 2025; doi: 10.1038/s41416-025-03027-z.
