Category: News
Fight Back Give Back with Clinical Trials
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 24 February 2019 In News, Science
When patients understand all of their options, including clinical trials, they can make informed decisions about their care. For many patients, clinical trials represent the best possible way to get access to cutting-edge treatment options.
Estimated Rates of Melanoma Increasing in 2019
By Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D., MRA Chief Science Officer | 9 January 2019 In News, Prevention, Science
The American Cancer Society released updated estimates for the incidence, prevalence, and survival statistics for cancer in the United States. For 2019, ACS estimates that 96,480 people will be diagnosed with melanoma and that 7,230 Americans will die due to the disease. This is an increase of 5.6% and a decrease of 19% from last year respectively.
MRA Advisor & Grantee Dr. Allison Awarded Nobel Prize for Transforming Cancer Care
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 28 November 2018 In News, Science, Treatment
MRA Scientific Advisory Panel Member & Grantee Dr. Allison Awarded Nobel Prize for his pioneering research to harness the power of the immune system to attack cancer. His work in immunotherapy, which began in the 1990’s, was audacious at the time. It helped to mainstream an entirely new class of tools in the arsenal against cancer; joining the likes of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Connecting the Dots: MRA’s 2017-2018 Annual Report
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 30 October 2018 In Melanoma Stories, News, Prevention, Treatment
In our 2017/18 report, we are proud to showcase many key achievements from the past year. Check out the annual report to learn more about the research we’ve funded, the partnerships we’ve forged, the progress we’ve made and the donors who help to make it all possible.
Uveal ‘Clusters’ in Auburn, AL and Huntersville, NC
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 18 July 2018 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, News, Science, Treatment
When we talk about melanoma, it’s easy to forget that cutaneous – the most common variety that forms on the skin – isn’t the only game in town. Uveal represents about 5% of all melanomas diagnosed each year. So, when dozens of people from two towns in North Carolina and Alabama were diagnosed with the rare cancer alarm bells sounded.
Why it Matters: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Endorses Skin Cancer Prevention Counseling for Children and Young Adults
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 20 May 2018 In News, Prevention
This government-backed panel just put skin cancer prevention counseling on the map.
Our Research Saves Lives: MRA Grants Over $100 Million in Ten Years
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 25 April 2018 In News, Science
Through powerful research, the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) is quickly delivering results and saving lives. In ten years, the Melanoma Research Alliance has become the largest, non-profit funder of melanoma research worldwide. In fact, with Tuesday's announcement of 28 new grant awards – MRA has now funded $100 million in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment!
The Microbiome, is it the Deciding Factor for Immunotherapy Success?
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 10 January 2018 In News, Science
It's been nearly seven years since the first FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitor for melanoma came on the market and doctors, researchers, and patients all keep asking: "who is most likely to benefit from immunotherapy? How can we make this work for more people?" Thankfully, the answer may be closer than we thought and the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and other bugs - which make up our microbiome - may have something to say about it.
FDA Approves Nivolumab in Adjuvant Setting - Is it a Big Deal?
By Louise M. Perkins, Ph.D., MRA Chief Science Officer | 21 December 2017 In News, Science, Treatment
The US FDA approved the use of nivolumab (Opdivo) in the adjuvant setting on December 20, 2017. This means that nivolumab may be used to treat melanoma patients with lymph node involvement or metastatic disease after complete surgical resection to reduce the risk of their disease recurring.
Introducing Clinical Trial Navigator: Start Searching Today
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 5 December 2017 In Allies & Partnerships, News, Science, Treatment
At MRA, we know that advancing science is our best bet in the fight against melanoma. More than 87,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, and with these numbers on the rise, researchers are working harder than ever to find new and better treatment options. In fact, there are over 300 clinical trials happening in melanoma right now.