Combination of immunotherapy with local chemotherapy for the treatment of malignancies

A method for treating human glioblastoma and reducing glioblastoma recurrence in humans, the method consisting of:

• (i) surgically removing all or a portion of a solid glioblastoma tumor in a human patient with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme;
• and
• (ii) administering to the human patient with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme an effective amount of a combination treatment consisting of:
• (a) a locally administered chemotherapy comprising a BCNU implantable wafer;
• and
• (b) nivolumab,
• wherein recurrence of the glioblastoma is inhibited.

A method for increasing antigen release from tumor cells in a human patient with glioblastoma, the method consisting of:

• administering to the human patient with glioblastoma an effective amount of a combination treatment consisting of:
• (a) a locally administered chemotherapy comprising a BCNU implantable wafer;
• and
• (b) nivolumab.

A method for increasing CD8+IFNγ producing cells in a human patient with glioblastoma, the method consisting of:

• administering to the human patient with glioblastoma an effective amount of a combination treatment consisting of:
• (a) a locally administered chemotherapy comprising a BCNU implantable wafer;
• and
• (b) nivolumab.