Current opinion in oncology
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This article provides an update on the therapeutic role of the monoclonal antibody ipilimumab in melanoma. Recent therapeutic combinations, as well as directions for further investigations, will also be discussed. ⋯ Ipilimumab is the prototype of a growing family of 'immunomodulating antibodies' and it has demonstrated that immunotherapy will play an increasingly important role in the new treatment approaches for cancer. Combinations of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted drugs with ipilimumab indicate that additive and synergistic antitumor activity can be achieved. Most importantly, they indicate that involving the immune system is a key strategy to improve the outcome in cancer patients.