Freeze and fight: new combo tackles Hard-to-Treat melanoma

This early-phase study tested a new approach for stage IIIB/C melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes. Doctors used a freezing technique (cryotherapy) to destroy accessible tumors, then injected the immunotherapy drug ipilimumab directly into the treated area, along with a flat dose of nivolumab given through the vein. The goal was to see if this combination is safe and feasible, and to get early clues about whether it can shrink both treated and untreated tumors. Nineteen adults with lymph node metastases took part.