Immunotherapy combo packs punch against melanoma

A Dermatologist examines a patient for symptoms of skin cancer due to sun exposure on June 15, 2011 in Miami, FloridaImmunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system in order to attack cancer, is more potent against melanoma when two agents are combined, but side effects rise too, researchers said Sunday. Both drugs are known as checkpoint inhibitors which boost the immune system's ability to tackle tumors, and are made by the pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers-Squibb, which funded the study. Opdivo blocks PD-1 and Yervoy blocks CTLA-4, making it easier for the immune system to attack cancer.

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