News
Living Life With Melanoma
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 13 September 2019 In Melanoma Stories
Ken Billett’s life-long journey with melanoma began in 1995 when he took a leap of faith and had a spot checked out on his shoulder at a health expo. He knew that he had had more than his fair share of sunburns growing up in Florida during the 60’s and...
Treating Melanoma Patients Before Surgery
3 September 2019 In Allies & Partnerships, Science, Treatment
Over 90% of patients who have their tumors surgically removed will never see their tumors come back or spread to other sites, but is there a way to prevent recurrence in those patients that will eventually go on to relapse? One approach currently being tested in clinical trials, termed neoadjuvant therapy, is to treat early stage patients with targeted or immunotherapy before surgical removal of their tumor.
One Day at a Time: Dylan Overcomes Depression & Melanoma
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 12 August 2019 In Melanoma Stories
Melanoma taught Dylan to stay in the moment and to tackle things one day at a time. There were so many things that were outside of Dylan's control, so he decided to focus on the things that he could do something about.
Acral Melanoma & Adjuvant Therapy – One Patient’s Decision
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 23 July 2019 In Melanoma Stories, Treatment
When David was diagnosed with Stage 3 acral melanoma he faced a major decision. The surgery to remove it was successful - but should he move forward with adjuvant therapy to reduce the risk of it returning? Learn more about the benefits - and risks - of this approach and read what David decided.
A Better Combination?
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Senior Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 19 July 2019 In Science
The FDA's 2015 approval of the first ever checkpoint immunotherapy combination of ipilimumab + nivolumab was considered a major breakthrough. Since then, research has shown that the combo yields slightly better results at the cost of increased side effects. Now, a new study asks if we can optimize the dose to produce the same effects with fewer side effects.
New Models for Testing Melanoma Drugs and Vaccines
15 July 2019 In Science, Treatment
Before experimental drugs and vaccines can ever be tested in people, they must first be studied in models of the disease. These models allow researchers to investigate scientific questions that they cannot answer using people due to unknown risks.
What Comes Next? The New Normal After Melanoma
7 July 2019 In Melanoma Stories
Although many patients and their loved ones would like to put melanoma behind them, it tends to be a lifetime journey. From life- long prevention concerns, fear of recurrence, feelings of isolation, and survivor’s guilt - get insight into the ‘new normal’ after melanoma.
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?