Biological Therapy in the Treatment of Melanoma

Biological therapy significantly increased the life expectancy of melanoma patients by targeting tumor-associated immunosuppression and cell growth messengers. This approach involved stimulating the immune system to combat tumor cells through various methods, including cytokine injections, tumor antigen vaccinations, adoptive immunotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibition. Additionally, it targeted signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and utilized oncolytic viruses. These therapies showed promise in both laboratory and clinical studies, with ongoing research expected to uncover more therapeutic targets as understanding of melanoma's molecular and cellular mechanisms expanded. The document reviewed the use of biological therapy, specifically immunotherapy, in treating melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. It highlighted the increasing incidence of melanoma and the improved 5-year survival rates due to early diagnosis and therapeutic advancements. Biological therapies, including cytokines like IL-2 and IFN-α, vaccines, adoptive immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and oncolytic viruses, were discussed for their roles in enhancing the immune system's ability to target melanoma cells. IL-2 showed complete tumor regression in 6.6% of patients, while vaccines demonstrated potential when combined with other therapies. Adoptive immunotherapy showed 40-50% response rates, and immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab and ipilimumab improved response rates and survival. Oncolytic virus T-VEC showed a 26.4% response rate and was approved for melanoma therapy. The document also mentioned ongoing research and trials for other immune modulators and therapies targeting specific signaling pathways. Biological therapy for melanoma, particularly targeting the Raf/MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, showed promise in increasing life expectancy for patients. BRAF mutations, present in 40-60% of melanomas, were targeted by FDA-approved inhibitors like vemurafenib and dabrafenib. A study with 675 patients demonstrated a higher response rate for vemurafenib (48.4%) compared to dacarbazine (5.5%). Combining BRAF inhibitors with MEK inhibitors, such as dabrafenib with trametinib, improved survival rates, with 74% at 1 year and 51% at 2 years, compared to dabrafenib alone. This approach highlighted the potential of biological therapy in treating metastatic melanoma by enhancing immune response and regulating cell growth signaling.