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Review of bi-specific therapies in uveal melanoma

Cancer Gene Therapy volume 29, pages 1814–1818 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Uveal melanoma is a rare subtype of melanoma that once metastatic portends a poor prognosis. Likely due to the distinct differences in biology, metastatic potential, and immunologic profile as compared to cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma’s response to immune checkpoint inhibition has been disappointing. Bi-specific fusion protein therapies (T cell engagers) are a novel strategy to forcibly bridge the immune system with a target on a cancer cell. This approach has been explored in a number of cancer types and has recently demonstrated success in uveal melanoma. Tebentafusp, a first in class ImmTAC (Immune-mobilizing monoclonal TCRs against cancer), has now shown an overall survival benefit when compared to investigator’s choice. This review aims to summarize the experience with this first in class bi-specific T cell engager as well as highlight bi-specifics as a novel treatment strategy in uveal melanoma.

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Fig. 1: Schematic of various types of T cell re-directing therapies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Marlana Orloff, Rino Seedor & Takami Sato

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  1. Marlana Orloff
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  2. Rino Seedor
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Contributions

MO drafted the paper, revised the paper and approved final version, RS wrote part of the text, revised the paper, and approved final version, TS wrote part of the text, revised the paper, and approved final version. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the paper.

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Correspondence to Marlana Orloff.

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Competing interests

MO is a consultant and has received compensation and honoraria from Immunocore. TS is a consultant and participated on steering committee and has not received compensation. RS has no competing interests.

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Orloff, M., Seedor, R. & Sato, T. Review of bi-specific therapies in uveal melanoma. Cancer Gene Ther 29, 1814–1818 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41417-022-00442-9

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