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Scarfì F, Patrizi A, Veronesi G, Lambertini M, Tartari F, Mussi M, Melotti B, Dika E. The role of topical imiquimod in melanoma cutaneous metastases: A critical review of the literature. Dermatol Ther 2020; 33:e14165. [PMID: 32772481 DOI: 10.1111/dth.14165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite of the emerging new systemic and local oncologic treatments (immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viral treatments and injected immunostimulants) the management of skin melanoma metastasis can be still challenging. The main aim of this review was to assess the efficacy and the role of imiquimod in local metastatic melanoma disease. An extensive literature review was performed from September 2000 to March 2020 using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Selected articles regarded topical imiquimod, its mode of action as an antitumoral agent and its applications in melanoma metastases treatment. We analyzed a total of 18 published article of clinical cases and small case series and five studies: two retrospective large case series, two Phase I and II clinical trials and one cohort non randomized study. Generally, the treatment is safe and well tolerated. Imiquimod lead to an unstable locoregional control. The use of topical imiquimod for the treatment of MM cutaneous metastases should be considered in selected cases and in palliative settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Scarfì
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Patrizi
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Veronesi
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Lambertini
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Tartari
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Mussi
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Melotti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Prevention, Sant'Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emi Dika
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Teulings HE, Tjin EPM, Willemsen KJ, van der Kleij S, ter Meulen S, Kemp EH, Krebbers G, van Noesel CJM, Franken CLMC, Drijfhout JW, Melief CJM, Nieuweboer-Krobotova L, Nieweg OE, van der Hage JA, van der Veen JPW, Relyveld GN, Luiten RM. Anti-Melanoma immunity and local regression of cutaneous metastases in melanoma patients treated with monobenzone and imiquimod; a phase 2 a trial. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1419113. [PMID: 29632737 PMCID: PMC5889200 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1419113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitiligo development in melanoma patients during immunotherapy is a favorable prognostic sign and indicates breakage of tolerance against melanocytic/melanoma antigens. We investigated a novel immunotherapeutic approach of the skin-depigmenting compound monobenzone synergizing with imiquimod in inducing antimelanoma immunity and melanoma regression. Stage III-IV melanoma patients with non-resectable cutaneous melanoma metastases were treated with monobenzone and imiquimod (MI) therapy applied locally to cutaneous metastases and adjacent skin during 12 weeks, or longer. Twenty-one of 25 enrolled patients were evaluable for clinical assessment at 12 weeks. MI therapy was well-tolerated. Partial regression of cutaneous metastases was observed in 8 patients and stable disease in 1 patient, reaching the statistical endpoint of treatment efficacy. Continued treatment induced clinical response in 11 patients, including complete responses in three patients. Seven patients developed vitiligo-like depigmentation on areas of skin that were not treated with MI therapy, indicating a systemic effect of MI therapy. Melanoma-specific antibody responses were induced in 7 of 17 patients tested and melanoma-specific CD8+T-cell responses in 11 of 15 patients tested. These systemic immune responses were significantly increased during therapy as compared to baseline in responding patients. This study shows that MI therapy induces local and systemic anti-melanoma immunity and local regression of cutaneous metastases in 38% of patients, or 52% during prolonged therapy. This study provides proof-of-concept of MI therapy, a low-cost, broadly applicable and well-tolerated treatment for cutaneous melanoma metastases, attractive for further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansje-Eva Teulings
- Dept. of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Depts. of Dermatology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Esther P. M. Tjin
- Dept. of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karina J. Willemsen
- Dept. of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stephanie van der Kleij
- Depts. of Dermatology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia ter Meulen
- Surgical Oncology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E. Helen Kemp
- Dept. of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Gabrielle Krebbers
- Dept. of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carel J. M. van Noesel
- Dept. of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis L. M. C. Franken
- Dept. of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan W. Drijfhout
- Dept. of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ludmila Nieuweboer-Krobotova
- Dept. of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Depts. of Dermatology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Omgo E. Nieweg
- Surgical Oncology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jos A. van der Hage
- Surgical Oncology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J. P. Wietze van der Veen
- Dept. of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Depts. of Dermatology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Germaine N. Relyveld
- Depts. of Dermatology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rosalie M. Luiten
- Dept. of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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