Russian Immunotherapy Demonstrates Efficacy in Metastatic Melanoma

Photo: Biokad

The results were presented at the The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) International Oncology Congress. The trial enrolled 47 patients. Among them, 10,6% achieved complete tumor regression (per CT imaging), while 23,4% showed significant tumor reduction. An additional 42% of patients demonstrated disease stabilization. 

According to Daniil Stroyakovskiy, Head of Chemotherapy at Moscow Oncology Hospital №62, for patients with metastatic melanoma this means that approximately one in three patients experienced notable tumor reduction, with some achieving complete resolution of lesions on CT and other imaging modalities. A substantial proportion of patients also achieved disease stabilization, preventing further progression.

«Efficacy in every third patient is exactly what we see today with checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy - not only in Russia, but worldwide. Monotherapy is effective in an unselected population, and the Cuban study fully confirms these figures, which are consistent globally», the expert noted.

Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), a receptor on the surface of T-lymphocytes. It belongs to the immune checkpoint inhibitor class. According to ESMO guidelines, pembrolizumab in combination with nivolumab is the standard of care for first-line treatment of metastatic melanoma.

In Russia, pembrolizumab therapy is available in both public and private clinics. According to DSM Group, the Russian pembrolizumab market reached $210 million in 2024, with local products leading sales - Pembroria by Biocad and Arfleida by R-Pharm. The original Keytruda by MSD ranks third in sales.

Source: Kommersant