Category: News
Coronavirus: What People with Cancer Should Know
24 March 2020 In News, Policy, Science, Treatment
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals. CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and has now been detected in the United States and many other countries.
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...
Highlights from the 2019 Scientific Retreat
30 May 2019 In Allies & Partnerships, Events, Melanoma Stories, News, Prevention, Science, Treatment
Over the course of three days, MRA convened over 300 people from across the melanoma research community: patients, doctors, researchers, industry, and government. Participants discussed everything from new treatment approaches such as RNA-based vaccines, strategies to fight back against treatment resistance, and hurdles to testing neo-adjuvant therapies in melanoma.
Research is Hope: MRA Announces $8.2 Million for New Grant Awards to Advance Melanoma Research
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 30 April 2019 In News, Science
In advance of Melanoma Awareness Month, the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the largest non-profit funder of melanoma research, today announced funding for 33 innovative research awards totaling $8.26 million.
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.
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.
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.