Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2021, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (4): 313-317.doi: 10.35541/cjd.20201111

• Melanoma·Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Melanoma immunotherapy: difficulties and strategies

Sha Shanshan1, Li Jun2, Tao Juan1   

  1. 1Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; 2Department of Dermatology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430014, China
  • Received:2020-11-20 Revised:2021-01-12 Online:2021-04-15 Published:2021-03-31
  • Contact: Tao Juan E-mail:tjhappy@126.com
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China;National Natural Science Foundation of China

Abstract: 【Abstract】 Melanoma is a highly malignant immunogenic tumor. Although immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors can markedly improve the survival rate of patients with metastatic melanoma, nearly half of patients are still tolerant or resistant to immunotherapy, with high incidence of immune-related adverse reactions. This review focuses on the key difficulties in tolerance, resistance and immune-related adverse reactions to current melanoma immunotherapy, and summarizes corresponding strategies and research advances. By intervening in the immunosuppressive microenvironment in melanoma, screening precise biomarkers, and optimizing immunotherapy-based combination strategies, the problem of tolerance and resistance to immunotherapy can be solved. Moreover, the combination of traditional immunotherapy and nanotechnology can also greatly reduce the occurrence of immune-related adverse reactions. In the future, more extensive and in-depth research on the tumor immune microenvironment will help to explore the best immunotherapy regimens for melanoma.

Key words: Nevi and melanomas, Immunotherapy, Biological agents, Immune tolerance, Immune-related adverse effects, Biomarkers