Omid Hamid, MD

When pembrolizumab is combined with immunotherapies, the incidence of grade 3 to 5 toxicities increases, especially with anti–CTLA-4 combinations.

“We’ve seen with the initial anti-CTLA-4 ipilimumab experience that, as time went by, we were better at identifying and managing toxicities,” stated Omid Hamad, MD.

A pooled analysis found pembrolizumab has a discontinuation rate of 12.7%, and a major key to handling it is maintaining good communication between the doctor and the patient.

Omid Hamid, MD, gives his perspective on the use of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy for patients with melanoma.

There has never been a referendum on IL-2. True, in the era of paradigm-shifting therapies, IL-2 may be overlooked at times, but it must not be excluded from the conversation.