Primary Treatment of Eyelid Conjunctival Melanoma with Immunotherapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Conjunctival melanoma is a rare, life- and sight-threatening ocular malignancy sharing molecular features with cutaneous and mucosal melanoma. Despite current clinical approaches, high recurrence rates and frequent metastases pose significant challenges in management. Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as ipilimumab and nivolumab have revolutionized cutaneous melanoma treatment, but their efficacy in conjunctival melanoma remains largely unexplored. Herein, the authors present the case of metastatic palpebral conjunctival melanoma in a 59-year-old male successfully treated with a first-line combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab without adjuvant therapies or local surgeries. Local disease resolution was achieved after only 7 months of treatment, and the immune checkpoint inhibitor regimen was well-tolerated with limited systemic adverse effects and no ocular side effects.