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B-cell depletion improves therapeutic index of combination checkpoint blockade in patients with advanced melanoma
Kavita M. Dhodapkar, Antonio Matera, Alyssa M. Duffy, Azmain Taz, Renee Julia Manalo, Melinda Yushak, Ragini Kuchadkar, David H. Lawson, Madhav V. Dhodapkar
Kavita M. Dhodapkar, Antonio Matera, Alyssa M. Duffy, Azmain Taz, Renee Julia Manalo, Melinda Yushak, Ragini Kuchadkar, David H. Lawson, Madhav V. Dhodapkar
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Clinical Research and Public Health In-Press Preview Immunology Oncology

B-cell depletion improves therapeutic index of combination checkpoint blockade in patients with advanced melanoma

Abstract

Background: Combined checkpoint blockade (CCB) of programmed-death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) is highly active in melanoma but limited by significant morbidity from immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Effective strategies to prevent CCB-mediated irAEs are lacking. Methods: Patients with advanced melanoma were randomly assigned to receive standard of care ipilimumab and nivolumab alone (Arm-A: ipi/nivo, n=7) or with one cycle of rituximab (Arm-B; ipi/nivo+rituximab, n=7). Results: Patients receiving ipi/nivo+rituximab experienced lower rates of > grade-3(G3) irAEs (14% versus 57%) and superior G3-irAE-free survival compared to those in ipi/nivo arm (2-year G3-irAE-free survival 86% versus 29% (p=0.01), without adverse impact on tumor regression or survival. G3 hypersensitivity reactions to rituximab (43% in Arm-B) prompted trial closure. Rituximab depleted pre-therapy activated naïve B cells linked to autoimmunity and enhanced CCB-mediated induction of myeloid inflammation and CXCL13+ICOS+ CD4 T cells. Conclusion: B-cell depletion favorably modulates CCB-mediated immune activation and may reduce irAE risk. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03719131 Funding: NIH

Authors

Kavita M. Dhodapkar, Antonio Matera, Alyssa M. Duffy, Azmain Taz, Renee Julia Manalo, Melinda Yushak, Ragini Kuchadkar, David H. Lawson, Madhav V. Dhodapkar

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