Successful treatment of in-transit metastatic melanoma in a renal transplant patient with combination T-VEC/Imiquimod immunotherapy

In the era of immunotherapy for cancer, solid organ transplant patients who go on to develop metastatic or locally advanced melanoma offer particularly difficult challenges. New approaches are needed for these patients. We present a case of in-transit metastatic melanoma in a renal transplant patient. The patient was initially managed with talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) injections alone with continued local progression. Addition of topical imiquimod 5% cream to intralesional T-VEC resulted in a rapid and dramatic response, with complete clearance of the cutaneous in-transit metastases and without any sign of organ rejection. In solid organ transplant patients who lack surgical options and are not eligible for treatment with a BRAF inhibitor, and for whom treatment with checkpoint inhibitors present risk of organ rejection, T-VEC either alone or in combination with topical imiquimod should be considered for patients with locally advanced disease. This combination should be a consideration, with close observation, in patients with a history of organ transplantation and immunosuppression.