Category: Science
Can We Combine Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy for Better Results?
By Kristen Mueller, PhD | 25 June 2019 In Science, Treatment
Researchers are now considering how to build upon the success of immune-based and targeted therapies to help even more patients live longer, healthier lives. This month, several studies reported on efforts to combine PD-1 based immunotherapy with BRAF/MEKi targeted therapy to form the first ‘triple combos’ in melanoma.
Resisting Resistance
14 June 2019 In Science, Treatment
For too many patients, the incredible responses they experience from targeted and immunotherapies don't last. Resistance is a real challenge. At the MRA 2019 Scientific Retreat, several researchers reported on research funded by MRA to identify new ways to combat drug resistance, including a number of strategies that are already being tested in the clinic.
Mohs Surgery for Melanoma In Situ – Where We Stand
10 June 2019 In Melanoma Stories, Science
While effective and time tested, Wide Local Excision can cause significant scarring and even loss of function when performed in delicate areas. For non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, an alternative ‘tissue-sparing’ procedure is frequently performed called Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Can Mohs Surgery be safely used in melanoma in situ?
Fighting For Her Life with a Clinical trial
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 7 June 2019 In Melanoma Stories, Science, Treatment
Colleen Wittoesch was a regular volunteer at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She came to the hospital every week to help out and spend time with patients and families in the melanoma clinic for going on seven years. Little did she know that in 2016 she too would walk through the clinic doors as a patient.
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.
Clinical Trials to Watch: Turning Cold Tumors Hot
By Kristen Mueller, PhD | 15 May 2019 In Science, Treatment
We know that the billions of bacteria that live in our bodies can impact the way we respond to immunotherapy, but can we harness this help more patients respond these life-saving drugs?
Research is Hope: MRA Announces $8.2 Million for New Grant Awards to Advance Melanoma Research
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 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.
Melanoma Vaccines Show Promise
14 April 2019 In Science, Treatment
While immunotherapy has transformed way melanoma is treated, about half of patients still do not respond. Researchers are pursuing multiple strategies to understand why this happens and to develop strategies to jumpstart a response. One approach showing promise in early clinical trials, comes in the form of new personalized vaccines being developed by Ugur Sahin of Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz and BioNTech.
What’s Next for the Microbiome in Melanoma?
By Kristen Mueller, PhD | 11 April 2019 In Science, Treatment
We know that the billions of bacteria that live in our bodies can impact the way we respond to immunotherapy, but can we harness this help more patients respond these life-saving drugs?
This Engineer is Building a ‘Better’ Biopsy
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 20 March 2019 In Science
Biopsies are an important tool to determine if a mole or other lesion is cancerous. For most patients, the occasional biopsy is no big deal. However for patients facing multiple abnormal or otherwise ‘suspicious’ spots in highly visible places the prospect can be daunting. Dr. Jesse Wilson, an MRA-funded investigator, is an engineer on a mission to build a better biopsy.