Melanoma Research Alliance and the American Cancer Society Forge Research Partnership to Maximize Immunotherapy Benefit to Patients
By Pamela Goldsmith, MRA Director of Communications | 10 July 2017 In Allies & Partnerships, Science
The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) are partnering to fund much-needed research aimed at decreasing rare, but serious, side effects associated with checkpoint inhibitors in hopes of increasing further cancer immunotherapy benefit to patients.
MAC: A Valued Partner in the Fight Against Melanoma
By Michael Kaplan, MRA President & CEO | 10 July 2017 In Allies & Partnerships
What do you do after the melanoma diagnosis has settled in and you’ve done all you can to ensure the best health outcome for yourself? Or even worse, what do you do after you’ve lost a spouse or a child to melanoma? For the members of the Melanoma Action Coalition, the answer is clear. You take that fear or sorrow, and you mobilize.
Non-invasive Detection Modalities and Metastatic Risk Stratification for Melanoma: Where Are We Now?
By Pooja H. Rambhia, MD Candidate, Case Western Reserve University | 10 July 2017 In Prevention, Science, Treatment
While dermatologists have advocated for patient education about irregular skin lesions in order to catch melanomas earlier, dermatologists ultimately play the largest role in the detection and excision of abnormal skin lesions via skin biopsy. However, visual recognition and assessment of pigmented skin lesions is limited to the eye of the dermatologist, and can be challenging for even the most experienced clinicians.
Melanoma Research Alliance Welcomes New Chief Development Officer
By Pamela Goldsmith, MRA Director of Communications | 10 July 2017 In News
Following 22 years of fundraising and management experience in healthcare, higher education and NPOs, Joan Russo is joining the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) as Chief Development Officer.
Strides and Obstacles in Melanoma Research Spotlight on Martin McMahon, PhD
By Pamela Goldsmith, MRA Director of Communications | 6 June 2017 In Science, Treatment
Like so many in the melanoma research field, Martin McMahon, PhD, Huntsman Cancer Institute’s senior director of pre-clinical translation and Professor at the University of Utah, entered the melanoma field by accident.
Invincible, Until You’re Not
By Pamela Goldsmith, MRA Director of Communications | 6 June 2017 In Melanoma Stories, Prevention, Treatment
Self described, lifetime sun worshiper and tanning bed devotee, 24-year old native Texan Ali Young was barely daunted the first time she was diagnosed with deadly skin cancer at the age of 18. Matter of fact, she recalls heading to the tanning bed the very day after her biopsy.
Melanoma Clinical Oncology Research: Interview with Dr. Joshua Arbesman
By Pooja H. Rambhia, MD Candidate, Case Western Reserve University | 6 June 2017 In Science, Treatment
As a third year medical student, MD Candidate Pooja Rambhia had the privilege of conducting an elective research year under Dr. Joshua Arbesman’s mentorship at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Arbesman has a unique role in translational basic science research within the realm of familial melanoma.
The Genetics of Melanoma Goes Deep
By Kristen Mueller, Ph.D., MRA Scientific Program Director | 6 June 2017 In News, Science, Treatment
Due to the rapid advancements in DNA sequencing technologies, our understanding of the underlying genetic causes of cancer has increased substantially in the past decade. In the case of melanoma, researchers have now characterized in great detail the genetic changes that occur within tumor cells in melanoma of the skin, leading to the FDA approval of drugs targeting mutations in BRAF and MEK.
LFFM Fundraising Event Again Reaches a Record Setting Year
By Pamela Goldsmith, MRA Director of Communications | 6 June 2017 In Allies & Partnerships, Events
Nearly 1,000 professionals from the leveraged finance community gathered for the sixth annual Leveraged Finance Fights Melanoma (LFFM) benefit and cocktail party raising a record $1.8 million in funds for the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the largest private funder of melanoma research.
What Gut Bacteria Tell Us About Treating Melanoma and Other Cancers
By Pamela Goldsmith, MRA Director of Communications | 3 April 2017 In News, Science, Treatment
Despite success in the use of immunotherapy to treat cancer by harnessing the body’s immune system to fight it, a major difficulty continues to be the range of responses to treatment among patients. It’s why researchers are exploring why some cancer patients exhibit astounding results with little side effects while others receive no benefits to the treatment and/or experience severe side effects.