After decades without promising new treatments for advanced and metastatic melanoma, ipilimumab was the first systemic therapy approved for use in this patient population. A fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) to augment antitumor T-cell responses, ipilimumab significantly extended overall survival in clinical trials. Because ipilimumab is associated with a set of immune-related adverse events that likely reflect the agent's mechanism of action, a management guide has been established. Nurses play a significant role in initially identifying these adverse reactions and assisting in patient education, treatment, and follow-up. Herein, we discuss commonly asked questions related to ipilimumab therapy and treatment of adverse events, and how nurses can be prepared to answer these questions as they arise from patients and caregivers.
Keywords: immunotherapy; melanoma; patient education.