Importance Uveal melanoma is characterized by mutations in GNAQ and GNA11, resulting in MAPK pathway activation. Objective To assess the efficacy of selumetinib, a selective, non-ATP competitive inhibitor of MEK1 and MEK2, in uveal melanoma. Design Randomized open-label phase II clinical trial comparing selumetinib versus chemotherapy. Those receiving chemotherapy could receive selumetinib at the time of radiographic progression. Setting Fifteen academic oncology centers. Participants 120 patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. Interventions 101 patients were randomized on a 1:1 ratio to selumetinib 75 mg orally twice daily on a continual basis (n=50) or chemotherapy (temozolomide 150 mg/m2 orally daily for 5 of every 28 days or DTIC 1000 mg/m2 intravenously every 21 days; investigator choice; n=51) until disease progression, death, intolerable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. Following primary outcome analysis, enrollment continued in a non-randomized fashion to the superior therapy. Main Outcomes Final analysis of progression-free survival, the primary endpoint, was assessed as of April 22, 2013. Additional endpoints, including overall survival, response rate, and safety/toxicity, were assessed as of December 31, 2013. Results Median progression-free survival for those randomized to chemotherapy and selumetinib was 7 (95% CI, 4.3 – 8.4; median treatment duration of 8 weeks (IQR, 4.3–16)) and 15.9 weeks (95% CI, 8.4 – 21.1; median treatment duration of 16.1 weeks (IQR, 8.1–25.3)), respectively (hazard ratio 0.46; 95% CI, 0.30 – 0.71; p < 0.001). Median overall survival was 9.1 (95% CI, 6.1 – 11.1) and 11.8 months (95% CI, 9.8 – 15.7) for those randomized to chemotherapy and selumetinib, respectively (hazard ratio 0.66; 95% CI, 0.41–1.06; p=0.09). No objective responses were observed with chemotherapy. 49% of patients treated with selumetinib achieved tumor regression, with 14% achieving an objective radiographic response to therapy. Treatment-related adverse events were observed in 97% patients treated with selumetinib, with 37% requiring at least one dose reduction. Conclusions and Relevance In this hypothesis-generating study of patients with advanced uveal melanoma, selumetinib compared with chemotherapy resulted in a modestly improved progression-free survival and response rate; however, no improvement in overall survival was observed. Improvement in clinical outcomes was accompanied by a high adverse event rate.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Cutaneous melanoma have been significantly revised over the past few years in response to emerging data on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies and BRAF-targeted therapy. This article summarizes the data and rationale supporting extensive changes to the recommendations for systemic therapy as adjuvant treatment of resected disease and as treatment of unresectable or distant metastatic disease.

PurposeThe hu14.18-IL2 fusion protein consists of interleukin-2 molecularly linked to a humanized monoclonal antibody that recognizes the GD2 disialoganglioside expressed on neuroblastoma cells. This phase II study assessed the antitumor activity of hu14.18-IL2 in two strata of patients with recurrent or refractory neuroblastoma.Patients and MethodsHu14.18-IL2 was given intravenously (12 mg/m2/daily) for 3 days every 4 weeks for patients with disease measurable by standard radiographic criteria (stratum 1) and for patients with disease evaluable only by [123I]metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy and/or bone marrow (BM) histology (stratum 2). Response was established by independent radiology review as well as BM histology and immunocytology, and durability was assessed by repeat evaluation after more than 3 weeks.ResultsThirty-nine patients were enrolled (36 evaluable). No responses were seen in stratum 1 (n = 13). Of 23 evaluable patients in stratum 2, five patients (21.7%) responded; all had a complete response (CR) of 9, 13, 20, 30, and 35+ months duration. Grade 3 and 4 nonhematologic toxicities included capillary leak, hypoxia, pain, rash, allergic reaction, elevated transaminases, and hyperbilirubinemia. Two patients required dopamine for hypotension, and one patient required ventilatory support for hypoxia. Most toxicities were reversible within a few days of completing a treatment course and were expected based on phase I results.ConclusionPatients with disease evaluable only by MIBG and/or BM histology had a 21.7% CR rate to hu14.8-IL2, whereas patients with bulky disease did not respond. Hu14.18-IL2 warrants further testing in children with nonbulky high-risk neuroblastoma.

Over the past few years, the NCCN Guidelines for Melanoma: Cutaneous have been expanded to include pathways for treatment of microscopic satellitosis (added in v2.2020), and the following Principles sections: Molecular Testing (added in v2.2019), Systemic Therapy Considerations (added in v2.2020), and Brain Metastases Management (added in v3.2020). The v1.2021 update included additional modifications of these sections and notable revisions to Principles of: Pathology, Surgical Margins for Wide Excision of Primary Melanoma, Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, Completion/Therapeutic Lymph Node Dissection, and Radiation Therapy. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the important changes to pathology and surgery recommendations, as well as additions to systemic therapy options for patients with advanced disease.

Purpose: Evaluate the clinical safety, toxicity, immune activation/modulation, and maximal tolerated dose of hu14.18-IL2 (EMD 273063) in pediatric patients with recurrent/refractory neuroblastoma and other GD2-positive solid tumors. Experimental Design:Twenty-seven pediatric patients with recurrent/refractory neuroblastoma and one with melanoma were treated with a humanized anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody linked to human interleukin 2 (IL-2). Cohorts of patients received hu14.18-IL2, administered i.v. over 4 hours for three consecutive days, at varying doses. Patients with stable disease, partial, or complete responses were eligible to receive up to three additional courses of therapy. Results: Most of the clinical toxicities were anticipated and similar to those reported with IL-2 and anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody therapy and to those noted in the initial phase I study of hu14.18-IL2 in adults with metastatic melanoma. The maximal tolerated dose was determined to be 12 mg/m 2 /d, with agent-related dose-limiting toxicities of hypotension, allergic reaction, blurred vision, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Three patients developed doselimiting toxicity during course 1; seven patients in courses 2 to 4. Two patients required dopamine for hypotension.There were no treatment-related deaths, and all toxicity was reversible.Treatment with hu14.18-IL2 led to immune activation/modulation as evidenced by elevated serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor a (sIL2Ra) and lymphocytosis. The median half-life of hu14.18-IL2 was 3.1 hours. There were no measurable complete or partial responses to hu14.18-IL2 in this study; however, three patients did show evidence of antitumor activity. Conclusion: Hu14.18-IL2 (EMD 273063) can be administered safely with reversible toxicities in pediatric patients at doses that induce immune activation. A phase II clinical trial of hu14.18-IL2, administered at a dose of 12 mg/m 2 /d  3 days repeated every 28 days, will be done in pediatric patients with recurrent/refractory neuroblastoma.