Abstract
ABSTRACT: Metastatic melanoma is a challenging disease to treat, with few effective therapies available. The survival rate for patients with metastatic melanoma has historically been grim, with few patients achieving complete or durable responses to therapy. Recently, however, there has been a great deal of excitement within the melanoma community, particularly regarding a new therapy that has demonstrated a survival advantage. This interview with Dr. Stephen Hodi, Director, Melanoma Disease Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, describes this new agent, an anti-CTLA-4 antibody known as ipilimumab. Dr. Hodi was the lead investigator of the Phase 3 clinical trial involving ipilimumab discussed in this interview and has been instrumental in advancing research into melanoma and its treatment.