News
Denise Kellen is On a Mission to Advance Melanoma Prevention & Early Detection
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 23 February 2021 In Melanoma Stories
Growing up – from June until August – Denise Kellen and her family practically lived at Lido Beach on Long Island’s south shore. They’d swim, play on the surf, read, and sunbathe. Like clockwork she’d develop two to three severe sunburns that would leave her pale skin a fiery red before peeling away. If only Denise knew then what she knows now.
Join MRA for Exciting Two-Day Virtual Event - April 15 and May 6!
22 February 2021 In Events
Throughout the event, you’ll hear from leading experts in the melanoma field and have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss, and network with other people who are going through their own melanoma journey. Each session will provide information, insight, and strategies to help navigate melanoma diagnosis, treatment, or beyond.
Estimating Melanoma Risk by Examining Skin’s Mutational Burden
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 10 February 2021 In Prevention, Science
We’ve known for decades that most melanomas – formed from the color-producing cells in our skin called melanocytes – are predominantly caused by UV-radiation-induced damage from the sun or indoor tanning devices. This damage is cumulative but is often invisible.
Melanoma Models for the Next Decade of Progress
By Kristen Mueller, PhD | 8 February 2021 In Science
Despite the tremendous progress that’s been made over the past decade for patients with melanoma, nearly half of patients do not benefit from currently approved therapies. Developing novel therapies for these individuals is a daunting challenge that begins with laboratory studies and hopefully ends with a drug candidate that is...
Personalized Vaccines for Melanoma – An Update
By Marc Hurlbert, PhD, MRA Chief Executive Officer | 2 February 2021 In Science, Treatment
Vaccines work by priming the immune system, thereby reducing the severity and duration of symptoms or lowering the risk of becoming infected at all. And while vaccines have changed the world for infectious disease, did you know they can also help combat cancers.
Five Melanoma Research Highlights to Look Forward to in 2021
By Marc Hurlbert, PhD, MRA Chief Executive 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.
Creating Art to Create Change: The Power to Heal & Mobilize Community
By Renee Orcione, MRA Development Associate | 11 January 2021 In Allies & Partnerships, Melanoma Stories
Following the initial shock of her diagnosis and the strain of facing treatments on her own, Barbara was faced with yet another hurdle. Her arm surgery had left it nearly immobile. Not only was this a problem for her daily functioning, it made it extremely difficult for Barbara to pursue her lifelong passion of art.
Reimagining Melanoma Research During and After the Pandemic
By Marc Hurlbert, PhD, MRA Chief Executive 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.
Exciting End of Year Melanoma Clinical Trial Results
By Kristen Mueller, PhD | 11 December 2020 In Science, Treatment
The annual Society for the Immunotherapy for Cancer (SITC) meeting did not disappoint, despite its virtual format, when it came to new clinical advances for melanoma. Researchers presented data from several important clinical trials and highlighted several novel agents that may boost responses to checkpoint immunotherapy.
Mary Jo Rogers: Research Will Get Us There
By Cody Barnett, MPH, MRA Director of Communications & Patient Engagement | 8 December 2020 In Melanoma Stories
With red hair and fair skin, Mary Jo Rogers has always known she was at high risk for melanoma, so she saw her dermatologist regularly. Despite knowing the risk, her 2011 diagnosis of Stage 3C melanoma still came as a big surprise.