Immunotherapy for Melanoma

Immunotherapy works with the body’s immune system to find, attack, and kill cancer cells. These drugs can work in different ways. Some boost the immune system, so it can fight cancer better. Other immunotherapy drugs help the immune system better recognize cancer cells. 

These are the latest immunotherapy drugs approved to treat melanoma. New treatments become available all the time, so this may not be a complete list.

Please note: The side effects listed here do not represent a comprehensive list. It's important to discuss all potential side effects of a drug with your health care team. Be sure to tell your health care team about any side effects you do have.

All Available Treatments

IV or Injection =
Pill =

Treatment Type

Checkpoint Inhibitors

Drug Names
Opdivo® (nivolumab) (IV)
Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) (IV)
Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) (IV)
Yervoy® (ipilimumab) (IV)
Potential Side Effects - Opdivo
Pain
Potential Side Effects - Opdivo and Yervoy
Muscle pain
Potential Side Effects - Tecentriq
Fever Shortness of breath
Potential Side Effects - Tecentriq and Yervoy
Cough
Important Things to Know
  • These drugs are given by IV (through a vein).
  • Tecentriq is most often given in combination with targeted therapy drugs.
  • Mouth sores are a potential side effect that can be painful and affect your oral intake. Speak to your provider about proactive management and an oral care regimen.
  • Potential side effects of Opdivo include joint, back, jaw, or bone pain. 

Treatment Type

Interleukin-2 (IL-2)

Drug Name
Proleukin® (aldesleukin) (IV)
Important Things to Know
  • This drug can be given by IV or injected into the tumor.
  • Low blood counts are a potential side effect that may put you at risk for anemia, infection, or bleeding.
  • Patients who receive aldesleukin in high doses may be treated in the hospital and watched carefully to help manage possible side effects. 

Treatment Type

Oncolytic Virus Therapy

Drug Name
Imlygic® (talimogene laherparepvec, T-VEC) (IV)
Important Things to Know
  • This drug is injected into the tumor.


Potential Side Effects: fatigue/weakness, heart problems, diarrhea, abnormal lab tests, swelling, skin/nail changes, blood pressure changes, hair loss, infection, lung problems
 

Treatment Type

Tumor-Derived Autologous T Cell Immunotherapy

Drug Name
Amtagvi® (lifileucel) (IV)
Important Things to Know
  • Amtagvi® is for people with unresectable or metastatic melanoma
  • To take Amtagvi®, you must have been previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody
  • If you are BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor must be used before you can take Amtagvi®