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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Brain Metastases

  • Neuro-oncology (S Nagpal, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Metastasis of cancer to the brain typically portends a poor prognosis and often results in significant morbidity, including from the side effects of treatment. More effective therapies for patients with brain metastases are needed. The current treatment paradigm uses multiple modalities, including surgery, radiation, and in some contexts, systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are increasingly being used to treat extracranial disease, and their effectiveness in the management of brain metastases needs to be understood.

Recent Findings

The evidence for immune checkpoint inhibitors in the management of brain metastases is largely limited to retrospective analyses of melanoma metastases and ipilimumab. Prospective clinical trials of more active agents are under way, and tentative results suggest activity.

Summary

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have the potential to improve outcomes in patients with brain metastases. Results of current clinical trials will aid in determining the appropriate sequence or combination of local and systemic therapies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia

    Aaron C. Tan, Alexander M. Menzies, Nick Pavlakis & Mustafa Khasraw

  2. University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX, USA

    Amy B. Heimberger

  3. The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

    Alexander M. Menzies, Nick Pavlakis & Mustafa Khasraw

  4. Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, NSW, Australia

    Alexander M. Menzies

  5. National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

    Mustafa Khasraw

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  1. Aaron C. Tan
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Correspondence to Mustafa Khasraw.

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Conflict of Interest

Aaron C. Tan declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Amy B. Heimberger has received clinical trial funding from Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) and owns stock and serves on the advisory board of Caris Life Sciences.

Alexander M. Menzies has received honoraria from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Novartis, and serves on advisory boards for MSD and Chugai.

Nick Pavlakis has received honoraria from Specialized Therapeutics, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Merck-Serono, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Novartis, and Pfizer, and has served on advisory boards for Specialized Therapeutics, Pfizer, Novartis, Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, and Sanofi-Aventis.

Mustafa Khasraw has received research funding from AbbVie and Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA), and serves on the advisory board of AbbVie, STA, and Eli Lilly.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Tan, A.C., Heimberger, A.B., Menzies, A.M. et al. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Brain Metastases. Curr Oncol Rep 19, 38 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-017-0596-3

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