Dr. Hamid on Using Biomarkers for Immunotherapy in Melanoma

Omid Hamid, MD, chief, Translational Research and Immunotherapy, director, Melanoma Therapeutics, The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, discusses the possibility of using biomarkers to select immunotherapy as a treatment option for patients with melanoma.

To date, it has been difficult for oncologists to identify standard biomarkers that may help in selecting immunotherapy for patients, Hamid says. However, there is anticipated data from researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center which examined a neoantigen profile to indicate responses to anti-CTLA-4 therapy. These data need to be validated, Hamid adds.

Also, Hamid explains there is not enough data to support biomarkers for PD-L1 therapy.

Oncologists are conducting research regarding this topic. Though some biomarkers may have been identified, they need to be validated before being used in patient selection.