What type of cancer is Ipilimumab specifically used to treat?

Ipilimumab is specifically used to treat melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, the cells responsible for pigment production. This drug is a monoclonal antibody that works as an immune checkpoint inhibitor, targeting CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4), a protein that downregulates immune responses. By blocking CTLA-4, Ipilimumab enhances the body’s own immune response against melanoma cells, allowing for more effective targeting and destruction of tumors.

The focus on melanoma is significant because it historically has had limited treatment options compared to other cancers, making the advent of immunotherapies like Ipilimumab vital. This treatment has shown considerable efficacy in improving survival rates in patients with advanced melanoma, marking it as a pivotal option in the therapeutic landscape for this type of cancer.