Poor Response to Checkpoint Immunotherapy in Uveal Melanoma Highlights the Persistent Need for Innovative Regional Therapy Approaches to Manage Liver Metastases

摘要

Uveal melanoma is a cancer that develops from melanocytes in the eye. This disease is extremely rare and has a strong predilection for liver metastasis, which has a poor long-term prognosis with overall survival of 6 months and 1 year mortality of 80%. Immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized treatment for cutaneous melanoma but have largely been proven to be ineffective in uveal melanoma. The poor response associated with systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy approaches coupled with the fact that most metastatic disease is isolated to the liver suggests a persistent need for regional treatment approaches. Of regional therapies, hepatic perfusion continued to be associated with the best survival outcomes of up to 27 months. Additional therapies that target the unique biology of uveal melanoma are desperately needed. Until these treatments are developed and proven, isolated hepatic perfusion remains a viable treatment option.