News
2021 AACR and ASCO Melanoma Highlights
By Marc Hurlbert, PhD, MRA Chief Executive 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.
For Amanda, Research is Personal
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 26 June 2021
For Amanda, melanoma research will always be personal. In addition to her own history – she is very aware that her four children will also always be connected to this disease. “We’ve made some real progress – and that’s great – but we aren’t there yet. My kids now have a history of this, too – and I’m also doing this for them. Discoveries don’t happen by accident – we have to be willing to invest in them.”
New Immunotherapy Drugs Targeting LAG-3 Show Great Promise
By Kristen Mueller, PhD | 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.
Averting and Treating Immune-related Adverse Events Associated with Checkpoint Immunotherapies
14 June 2021 In Science, Treatment
Checkpoint inhibitors are therapies that empower the immune system to kill cancer cells. However, sometimes immune-related adverse events (irAE) can also occur as a result. To help overcome this challenge, MRA has issued a number of research grants, including some in partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), to support an array of approaches.
Advancing Melanoma Research in Times of Uncertainty
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 9 June 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories, Policy, Prevention, Science, Treatment
Each year, the annual MRA Scientific Retreat brings hundreds of people from across the melanoma research ecosystem together to exchange ideas, report on scientific progress, celebrate achievements, and mourn the losses. In these ways, the 2021 Retreat was no different.
Separating Hope From Hype in Melanoma Research
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 4 June 2021 In Science, Treatment
In the last decade alone 13 therapeutic approaches have earned FDA approval giving patients, families, and clinicians new tools to treat melanoma. But there can be a fine line between hope and hype, especially today when news — both true and inflated — travels instantly via the internet and social media.
MRA's Acral Melanoma Cell Line Catalog: A Launching Pad for Research
By Raj Talukdar, MRA Science Intern | 25 May 2021 In Science
In a collaborative effort to facilitate research focused on acral melanoma, MRA has created and annotated a catalog of acral melanoma cell lines from various institutions worldwide. The catalog includes cell lines created by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Wistar Institute, Yale University, the University of Zurich, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia and more.
Turning Memory Into Action: Honoring Her Father and Raising Awareness
By Renee Orcione, MRA Development Associate | 24 May 2021
In 2021, 7,180 people are estimated to lose their lives due to melanoma in the United States alone. That’s 7,180 individuals – fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, partners and more – gone but for the impact they had, and the memories and loved ones that they left behind. Those left behind, be it family...
Firming the Foundation: Pathology, Rare Melanomas, and Moving the Field Forward
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 21 May 2021 In Science, Treatment
When Dr. Priyadharsini Nagarajan talks about her work at MD Anderson Cancer Center, her energy and excitement could light up any room. That’s because Dr. Nagarajan – a pathologist who specializes in skin (called a ‘dermatopathologist’) – sees her work as critical to creating a firm foundation for all subsequent...
SPOTMYUV: Your Sunscreen’s New Best Friend
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 20 May 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, Prevention
SPOTMYUV, a small, water-resistant sticker applied to any skin exposed to direct sunlight such as your arm or shoulder, helps the wearer know when it is time to reapply their sunscreen by changing color. Throughout the day, a SPOT sticker works to absorb the sunscreen’s UV protecting ingredients at about the same rate as your skin. The SPOT is clear when you are protected by your sunscreen and quickly turns into a deep purple as the sunscreen loses its effectiveness. By monitoring the SPOT, you get a real-time way to monitor your sunscreen without chancing sunburn.