Category: News
Full Sails Ahead: Immunotherapy Shows Continued Survival Benefit for Patients Facing Advanced Melanoma
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 28 July 2021 In News, Science, Treatment
After carefully following patients enrolled in Checkmate 067 over the last 6.5 years, he and the research team determined that 49% of patients treated with Opdivo + Yervoy were alive at 6.5 years and 77% of these patients remained treatment-free. This represents the longest reported median overall survival in a phase 3 melanoma clinical trial – ever.
Melanoma Research Alliance Announces 13 Dermatology Fellowship Award Recipients
The Melanoma Research Alliance, the largest non-profit funder of melanoma research, is proud to announce its 2021 Dermatology Fellowship Award recipients.
Setting the Groundwork for Patient-Centric 1st in Human Clinical Trial Funding Opportunities
7 July 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, News, Science
From Michael Kaplan, MRA President & CEO: There is a reason the word “Alliance” is in our name! The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) knows that to achieve our mission of ending suffering and death due to melanoma, broad partnerships and collaborations are required. In this spirit, MRA entered its first partnership with...
2021 AACR and ASCO Melanoma Highlights
By Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D., MRA Chief Science Officer | 29 June 2021 In News, Science, Treatment
Over the last few months, thousands of scientists and physicians from around the globe gathered virtually for two of the largest cancer research conferences – AACR and ASCO. Melanoma research advances were showcased at both events and it’s an exciting time with numerous presentations of clinical trials for new melanoma treatments. Here we highlight some of the most exciting results from both conferences.
New Immunotherapy Drugs Targeting LAG-3 Show Great Promise
By Kristen Mueller, Ph.D., MRA Scientific Program Director | 23 June 2021 In News, Science, Treatment
Researchers presented a series of highly encouraging clinical trial results at the recent American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting that suggest that new drugs targeting the protein LAG-3 – developed by BMS and Regeneron – may be an important addition to the current treatment arsenal.
Melanoma Research Alliance Announces $8.1 million in Research Awards
By Cody R. Barnett, MRA Director of Communications | 27 April 2021 In News, Prevention, Science, Treatment
The Melanoma Research Alliance, the largest non-profit funder of melanoma research, is proud to announce $8.1 million in funding for 34 new research awards. The awards, issued on the cusp of Melanoma Awareness Month, provide critical funding to address urgent unmet needs in melanoma.
A New Treatment Approach in the Arsenal: Neoadjuvent Therapy
23 April 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, News, Science, Treatment
Surgery is the backbone of melanoma treatment and is curative for the vast majority of patients with localized melanoma. However, even if surgery successfully removes all detectible traces of tumor tissue, some patients will still experience a melanoma relapse. Can neoadjuvant therapy, an experimental approach, reduce the risk of recurrence?
UV Exposure & Risk of Cutaneous Melanoma in Skin of Color
By Rachel Fischer, Ph.D., Senior Associate, Scientific Program and Grants Administration | 14 April 2021 In News, Prevention, Science
In JAMA Dermatology, a team led by Adewole S. Adamson, MD, from The University of Texas at Austin, investigates whether there is an association, specifically in People of Color, between UV exposure and melanoma. MRA breaks down what this research means and how it should impact your sun safety practices.
Five Melanoma Research Highlights to Look Forward to in 2021
By Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D., MRA Chief Science Officer | 13 January 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, News, Prevention, Science, Treatment
At MRA, every day we are focused on how melanoma research can be reimagined to accelerate progress similar to what has been accomplished in record time with COVID-19 research, and look forward to a future not only void of COVID-19; but where suffering and death due to melanoma are no more.
Reimagining Melanoma Research During and After the Pandemic
By Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D., MRA Chief Science Officer | 1 January 2021 In News, Science
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched all of our lives – from illnesses and unexpected deaths, to world economies and the careers impacted. Like everything else, melanoma research has also been impacted – from decreased enrollment in clinical trials, to research labs hampered by lock-downs and new protocols. At MRA, we contemplate how can melanoma research be reimagined to accelerate progress similar to what has been accomplished with COVID-19.