Ipilimumab (YERVOY)

Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody against CTLA-4 that is approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma and is under clinical investigation for the treatment of several types of cancer. Ipilimumab binds to and blocks the activity of the molecule, CTLA-4 which is found on the surface of T cells (a type of white blood cell). CTLA-4 is similar to a set of brakes on a car; it stops T cells from killing cancer cells. Blockade of CTLA-4, via Ipilimumab treatment, results in the reactivation or “acceleration” of T cells to attack and kill cancer cells.