Dr. Shoushtari on the Role of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Mucosal Melanoma

Alexander N. Shoushtari, MD, an assistant attending physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the role of nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) in mucosal melanoma. 

​Mucosal melanoma is a distinct subtype of melanoma for which the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab can be used, explains Shoushtari. However, long-term survival is not commonly seen with nivolumab.

The rarity of this disease makes it difficult to accumulate sufficient clinical data to establish a definitive standard of care for patients with mucosal melanoma, Shoushtari says.

​However, the clinical activity observed with the combination has led to its use as the preferred frontline therapy for patients who can tolerate the ​potential toxicity​ associated with the regimen, Shoushtari concludes.