病灶内添加白细胞介素-2 可改善既往免疫治疗进展的特定黑色素瘤亚组患者的无进展生存期

A considerable amount of melanoma patients show primary resistance to PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors.

We have previously reported a beneficial role of intralesional Interleukin-2 (IL-2) in 9 melanoma patients developing new locoregional metastases under immunotherapy.

We have now expanded this retrospective cohort to 27 patients. Patients were evaluated for their tumor characteristics, treatment response and progression-free and overall survival (PFS/OS). In 16 patients, tumor biopsies before and under IL-2 treatment were evaluated for immune markers. The median follow-up time was 16 (1-59) months from start of IL-2 treatment. Treatment response of locoregional metastases was seen in 74% of all patients and response of distant organ metastases in 37% of stage IV patients, respectively.

A prolonged PFS and OS was significantly associated with absence of active distant metastases ( p = 0. 008), response of locoregional metastases ( p = 0. 002), increase of absolute eosinophil count (AEC) ( p < 0. 001) and an influx of CD8 + tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) ( p = 0.

003). Additional intralesional treatment with IL-2 in patients with locoregional progression under immunotherapy is a well-tolerated, easily feasible therapeutic option especially in patients lacking active distant metastases. A careful patient selection can lead to an improved PFS and OS.