Category: Science
2020 Melanoma Mortality Rates Decreasing Despite Ongoing Increase in Incidence
By Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D., MRA Chief Science Officer | 9 January 2020 In News, Prevention, Science, Treatment
Each January, the American Cancer Society (ACS) releases updated estimates about trends in new cancer cases and deaths in its annual report, Cancer Facts and Figures. This report highlights the estimated incidence (number of new cases), prevalence (number of people alive today with a history of cancer), and survival statistics for...
Doubling Down on Rare Melanomas
16 December 2019 In Science
Acral, uveal, and mucosal melanoma – known collectively as ‘rare melanomas’ – represent a type of black hole for the clinical community. We know far less about them—what causes them, how they progress, and how to effectively treat them.
Approaches to Neoadjuvant Treatment in Melanoma: A Public Workshop Organized by the FDA and MRA
13 November 2019 In Events, Science, Treatment
On November 6, 2019, the FDA and the Melanoma Research Alliance co-hosted a public workshop to identify, discuss, and address key issues, challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of neoadjuvant therapies for patients with surgically resectable melanoma. This exciting, half-day workshop brought together clinicians, researchers, regulators, and patient advocates to explore opportunities and discuss challenges in the development of neoadjuvant therapies for melanoma. The workshop took place at National Harbor (outside of Washington, D.C.) with opportunities to participate in person and via simultaneous webcast.
Mutations and Melanoma
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 8 November 2019 In Science
Cancer is caused by mutations in our DNA that allow cells to grow uncontrollably – and eventually invade surrounding tissue. Melanoma is a specific type of cancer that is formed in pigment-containing cells, known as melanocytes, which are found primarily in the skin but also in places like the eye and on mucous membranes. Thanks to advancements in research, the same mutations that cause cancer are proving helpful in treating it.
Bob Enrolls in Clinical Trial Testing NeoAdjuvant Therapy for Melanoma
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 2 November 2019 In Melanoma Stories, Science, Treatment
After being diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, Bob chose to enroll in a clinical trial at Georgetown University, comparing the effectiveness of treating melanoma with pembrolizumab before or after surgery, what doctors call neo-adjuvant and adjuvant therapy respectively.
MRA is Raising the Treatment Bar
31 October 2019 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, Science, Treatment
We have made unprecedented progress that is transforming what it means to be diagnosed with melanoma. Today, we have more treatment options than ever before—in fact 12 new options have earned FDA approval since MRA's founding. But, it's still not enough.
Imaging the Immune Response in Melanoma
7 October 2019 In Science
We are fortunate to now have effective immune therapies for many melanoma patients. But unfortunately, we also now know that these treatments can often cause serious side effects, like diabetes and colitis, among other reactions. Consequently, there has been a push to develop a way to detect early on if...
SPORE Grants: Putting Collaboration Front & Center
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 24 September 2019 In Allies & Partnerships, Science, Treatment
In medicine, sometimes the biggest and most game-changing advancements come from a single person – who through tireless work – arrives at a true ‘eureka’ moment. This ‘go it alone’ concept is not only reinforced through television and movies, it’s also bolstered in the way the medical community makes research...
Treating Melanoma Patients Before Surgery
3 September 2019 In Allies & Partnerships, Science, Treatment
Over 90% of patients who have their tumors surgically removed will never see their tumors come back or spread to other sites, but is there a way to prevent recurrence in those patients that will eventually go on to relapse? One approach currently being tested in clinical trials, termed neoadjuvant therapy, is to treat early stage patients with targeted or immunotherapy before surgical removal of their tumor.
A Better Combination?
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 19 July 2019 In Science
The FDA's 2015 approval of the first ever checkpoint immunotherapy combination of ipilimumab + nivolumab was considered a major breakthrough. Since then, research has shown that the combo yields slightly better results at the cost of increased side effects. Now, a new study asks if we can optimize the dose to produce the same effects with fewer side effects.