Background Ipilimumab is a recombinant, fully human monoclonal antibody (IgG1) which blocks the inhibitory effects of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), a negative regulator of T-cell activation. It has been approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in patients who have failed or do not tolerate other systemic treatment for advanced disease.

Purpose To review the effectiveness and safety profile of ipilimumab in the treatment of adult patients with advanced melanoma.

Materials and Methods Medical record review and retrospective analysis (January 2011 to September 2012) of prescriptions recorded in the Integral Oncology Patient Information System (ONCOBASS) in a teaching general hospital. Previous drug use, dose, line of chemotherapy, number of cycles administered, objective response rate and toxicity were analysed.

Results A total of 5 patients with metastatic melanoma were prescribed ipilimumab (2 male, 3 female), median age 45 (36–60). The 4 cycles of treatment planned were completed by 3 patients, 1 continues in active treatment at the moment of finishing this study and the other one has been lost to follow-up due to change of hospital.

In the group of four patients who received treatment, 2 were prescribed ipilimumab as a second line after failure of a temozolomide-based regimen, and 2 were prescribed ipilimumab as third line after two regimens based on immunotherapy, temozolomide or vemurafenib.

After completing the 4 cycles planned, 1 patient maintained complete response (16 months) and 1 patient showed stable disease (maintained for 5 months), and the other one is in evaluation.

No patients suffered grade 3–4 toxicity and the treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusions Ipilimumab has shown effectiveness and safety in the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in patients who have failed or do not tolerate other systemic treatment for advanced disease in our patients, although data from more patients and longer-term studies are required.

No conflict of interest.