BRAF and MEK Inhibitors Increase PD-1-Positive Melanoma Cells Leading to a Potential Lymphocyte-Independent Synergism with Anti–PD-1 Antibody

Sanlorenzo, Martina; Vujic, Igor; Floris, Arianna; Novelli, Mauro; Gammaitoni, Loretta; Giraudo, Lidia; Macagno, Marco; Leuci, Valeria; Rotolo, Ramona; Donini, Chiara; Basiricò, Marco; Quaglino, Pietro; Fierro, Maria Teresa; Giordano, Silvia; Sibilia, Maria; Carnevale-Schianca, Fabrizio; Aglietta, Massimo; Sangiolo, Dario

doi:10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1914

BRAF and MEK Inhibitors Increase PD-1-Positive Melanoma Cells Leading to a Potential Lymphocyte-Independent Synergism with Anti–PD-1 Antibody

Purpose: BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAF/MEKi) favor melanoma-infiltrating lymphocytes, providing the rationale for current combinatorial trials with anti–PD-1 antibody. A portion of melanoma cells may express PD-1, and anti–PD-1 antibody could have a direct antitumor effect. Here, we explore wheth…