Rapid remission of symptomatic brain metastases in melanoma by programmed-death-receptor-1 inhibition.

Although ∼40% of patients with metastatic melanoma develop brain metastases, the presence of brain metastases often precludes enrolment in clinical trials for advanced melanoma. However, the development of symptomatic brain metastases markedly increases mortality. The antiprogrammed-death-receptor-1 antibody pembrolizumab achieves extracranial metastases disease response rates of up to 50%. Here, we report the rapid and sustained response of symptomatic multifocal brain metastases in a melanoma ipilimumab-pretreated patient under pembrolizumab, combined with high-dose dexamethasone therapy during the induction phase of therapy. Complete remission has been maintained for over 1 year of follow-up and has correlated with the response rate observed in the extracranial metastases. Radiological disease response was identified during the first follow-up visit in the absence of adjuvant radiotherapy. This report highlights the need for further clinical studies to specifically address the therapeutic potential of antiprogrammed-death-receptor-1 monotherapy in the management of untreated brain metastases in melanoma.