ICD-10 Specific code C43.6: Malignant neoplasm: Malignant melanoma of upper limb, including shoulder

Dactinomycin is an antineoplastic antibiotic derived from Streptomyces parvullus. Stable complexes are formed with DNA through intercalation and DNA-dependent RNA synthesis is selectively inhibited. Protein and DNA synthesis are inhibited to a lesser extent.

Ifosfamide is an antineoplastic, a cytotoxic alkylating agent. It is a prodrug and shows no in vitro cytotoxic activity until activated by microsomal enzymes. The cytotoxic activity of ifosfamide (alkylation of the nucleophilic centres in the cells) is associated with the activated oxazaphosphorine ring hydroxylated at the C4 atom which interacts with DNA-DNA cross linking. This activity manifests itself by blocking the late S and early G2 phases of the cell cycle.

Ipilimumab is a CTLA-4 immune checkpoint inhibitor that blocks T-cell inhibitory signals induced by the CTLA-4 pathway, increasing the number of reactive T-effector cells which mobilize to mount a direct T-cell immune attack against tumour cells. CTLA-4 blockade can also reduce T-regulatory cell function, which may contribute to an anti-tumour immune response.

Nivolumab is a human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibody (HuMAb), which binds to the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor and blocks its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2. Nivolumab potentiates T-cell responses, including anti-tumour responses, through blockade of PD-1 binding to PD-L1 and PD-L2 ligands. In syngeneic mouse models, blocking PD-1 activity resulted in decreased tumour growth.

Pembrolizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody which binds to the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor and blocks its interaction with ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. The PD-1 receptor is a negative regulator of T-cell activity that has been shown to be involved in the control of T-cell immune responses.