Category: Treatment
MRA Statement on Expanded Approval of Nivolumab to Patients with Stage 2 Disease
13 October 2023 In News, Science, Treatment
The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the largest non-profit funder of melanoma research worldwide, welcomes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to expand eligibility of Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) to include patients with completely resected Stage IIB and IIC melanoma.
Thriving after Advanced Melanoma at 26: John Elson’s Story
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 20 September 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, Treatment
John Elson woke up – on his birthday – and discovered a lump in his neck. The New Yorker wasn’t entirely concerned and initially explained it away as a muscle knot. However, when the lump didn’t go away and he noticed a second one near his armpit, alarm bells started...
Dr. Hussein Tawbi: Opdualag Clinical Trial Updates
By Tanisha Jackson, PhD - MRA Scientific Program Director | 18 September 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, News, Science, Treatment
In March of 2022, the melanoma community celebrated the FDA approval of nivolumab + relatlimab (brand name Opdualag), a new treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma that combines two different immunotherapies, nivolumab and relatlimab, into one medicine.
Combating Melanoma Brain Metastases and Leptomeningeal Disease
8 September 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Policy, Science, Treatment
Melanoma is the third most common source of brain metastases, exceeded only by lung and breast cancer. In addition, metastatic melanoma cells have the highest propensity for settling in the brain out of any solid tumor.
MRA Statement on FDA Approval of Hepzato Kit for Patients with Uveal Melanoma with Liver Metastases
16 August 2023 In News, Treatment
The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) released the following statements from MRA Chief Science Officer Joan Levy, PhD and MRA Chief Executive Officer Marc Hurlbert, PhD on the Food & Drug Administration approval of Hepzato Kit for patients with uveal melanoma with liver metastases that cannot be surgically removed.
MRA's Latest Research Report: Reaching for the Stars
25 July 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, News, Policy, Prevention, Science, Treatment
Each year, MRA convenes global thought leaders from across the melanoma research community to exchange ideas, report on scientific successes and challenges, and network and forge new collaborations.
Reflecting on a Decade of Progress and Future Heights in Melanoma
21 July 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, News, Science, Treatment
If you told Dr. Jedd Wolchok at the start of his oncology career what melanoma research would look like today, he likely wouldn’t believe you. Wolchok, now a world-renowned medical oncologist and Meyer Director of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, originally faced an alternate...
How Biomarkers Are Used in Melanoma
29 June 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Prevention, Science, Treatment
The term “biomarker” is a frequent buzz word in cancer care circles, but many patients do not understand what a biomarker is and how they are used in the clinic. At the MRA 2022 Patient Forum, Dr. David Polsky of New York University took away much of the mystery surrounding biomarkers by deftly explaining what they are and how they enter the market, as well as by showing how physicians use biomarkers to guide therapy and predict outcomes in their patients.
Andrew Smith: Father, Veteran, and Melanoma Survivor
By Renee Orcione, MRA Digital Engagement & Communications Manager | 25 June 2023 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Treatment
Andrew Smith was 37 years old when his wife Anna noticed an odd-looking spot on his nose and encouraged him to get it checked out. While this father of three wasn’t particularly concerned, he did bring it up with his primary care physician to assure his wife that everything was okay.
Tackling Treatment-Resistant Disease
22 May 2023 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Science, Treatment
The melanoma field has made incredible progress over the past decade in its ability to treat patients with advanced melanoma. This includes patients with tumors that cannot be entirely removed by surgery and patients whose tumors have spread to other parts of the body, referred to as metastatic melanoma.