VISTA-Positive Neutrophils in Melanoma Immunotherapy Skin Toxicities 

Immunotherapy has greatly improved survival for people with melanoma, but many patients also experience harmful side effects when the immune system attacks healthy tissues. Skin inflammation is among the most common problems, sometimes lowering quality of life or even discontinuing treatment.  

A growing body of research shows that neutrophils, a type of immune cell, play a central role in causing some of these toxicities. In our earlier studies in mice, we found that skin inflammation during immunotherapy was linked to neutrophils that express a molecule called VISTA. These findings suggest that VISTA-positive neutrophils may be especially important drivers of skin damage.  

We are now turning to human studies to determine whether the same process occurs in people. By examining skin samples from melanoma patients who developed immune-related side effects, we will test the role of VISTA-positive neutrophils in driving inflammation. Insights from this work may guide the development of safer and more potent immunotherapies that maintain strong anti-cancer activity while reducing harmful side effects.