The anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibodies pembrolizumab and 
nivolumab have been contingently approved for the treatment of patients with 
advanced melanoma based on their durable response, high response rate, and 
favorable safety profile. Mature survival data from randomized phase III trials 
are eagerly awaited to confirm their position as the standard-of-care frontline 
or second-line therapy in advanced melanoma management algorithm. The 
immune-related adverse events associated with these novel agents are somewhat 
different than those of ipilimumab, considering the manifestation of pneumonitis 
and acute renal failure. Active research is ongoing to identify biomarkers 
predictive of clinical benefit to the anti-PD1 monoclonal antibodies, to expand 
their utility in other disease settings, and to explore their safety and 
efficacy in combination with other therapeutic agents. Unanswered questions 
concerning optimal dosing schedule, treatment duration, and therapy sequencing 
will also need to be addressed in future investigations.