Second European post-Chicago melanoma meeting 2012

摘要

After the immunotherapeutic agent ipilimumab (Yervoy) demonstrated a 4-month increase in the survival of patients with metastatic melanoma, it was approved in March 2011. That event ended a 13-year drought in FDA approvals for melanoma since the approval of interleukin-2 (IL-2, Proleukin) in 1998. Although IL-2 did extend survival, it is rarely used because of toxicity. With interest piqued by new developments in mela-noma therapy, 480 oncologists attended the inaugural European Post-Chicago Melanoma Meeting last year. This year's Second European Post-Chicago Melanoma meeting (June 21 and 22, 2012) similarly welcomed 481 specialists to reviews and analyses of research on CTLA-4 antibodies, selective kinase inhibitors, new vaccination approaches, and other innovative agents under development for intratumoral and systemic therapies. Selected sessions on targeted and chemotherapeutic agents, immunotherapies, and the continuing role of chemotherapy are presented here.