In a nutshell This study was looking at which combination of medication is better at treating late-stage melanoma, ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap) combined with high-dose interleukin-2 (Proleukin) or high-dose interleukin-2 by itself. The study found that using ziv-aflibercept combined with high-dose interleukin-2 was better than using high-dose interleukin-2...
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TVEC as a treatment for advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This study analysed a treatment for late-stage melanoma called talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC). It found that treating late-stage melanoma with TVEC was effective, and had only minor side effects. Some background Talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC) (Imlygic) is a treatment used for late-stage melanoma which is unable to be operated on. TVEC...
Read MorePembrolizumab to treat advanced mucosal melanoma
In a nutshell This study wanted to find out if the drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is effective in treating mucosal melanoma. The study found that pembrolizumab had some effect on mucosal melanoma, and the overall survival of patients was 11 months. Some background Mucosal melanoma is a very aggressive type of cancer, with no specific treatment. Recent...
Read MoreSurgical treatment options for anal melanoma
In a nutshell This study compared the afety and effectiveness of two surgical treatments for anal melanoma. The study found that patients who had a local excision and patients who had an abdominoperineal resection had the same level of overall survival. Some background Anal melanoma is a very rare cancer. Two surgical options for treatment are...
Read MoreFactors influencing survival in patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma
In a nutshell This study looked at factors that were associated with better survival in patients who had surgery for advanced melanoma. The study found that having clear surgical margins, where the cancer has not spread to surrounding tissues, and having a low white blood cell ratio were associated with longer survival. Some background Melanoma...
Read MoreThe effect of FDG-PET imaging on patients with melanoma treated with immunotherapy.
In a nutshell The study looked at the use of FDG-PET imaging to assess long-term outcomes of treatment in patients with melanoma. Researchers found that FDG-PET imaging may be useful in predicting long-term outcomes of treatment in these patients. Some background Treatment for melanoma has vastly improved in recent years. Immunotherapies have improved...
Read MoreEffect of cancer medications nivolumab and ipilimumab on melanoma which has spread to the brain
In a nutshell This study looked at two medications for treatment of melanoma, nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy), and analysed how well they worked in patients who have melanoma which has spread to the brain. The study found that the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab had significant clinical benefit in patients with melanoma with brain...
Read MoreSD-101 and pembrolizumab treatment in advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This study analysed a new medication to treat advanced melanoma called SD-101. The study found that patients responded very well to injection of the medication directly into the tumor alongside a common medication called pembrolizumab (Keytruda), although this worked best in patients who had never been treated with pembrolizumab...
Read More“Your Life Depends on Your Own Advocacy”
“Always trust your gut. Don’t leave your treatment in the hands of someone that you don’t trust or that does not seem like a team player. Yes, they are all smart—even brilliant—but read, read, read, and question them at every corner and challenge the standard of care. Exercise, healthy eating, learning the ropes of insurance, mediation/prayer...
Read MoreUsing cancer killing viruses as treatment for melanoma
In a nutshell This study wanted to analyse the current literature on using cancer killing viruses as a treatment for melanoma. The study found that there is only one virus that has been approved for use in treatment of melanoma, however there are others being developed, and current results are promising. Some background A new approach to treating...
Read MoreClinical Trials Today
Prior to the 20th century, most people lived about 47 years in the developed world because of infectious diseases. In 1940, the first use of penicillin to treat infectious diseases occurred and penicillin became available in 1945 to the general public. Science and research conducted throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, created more antibiotics so that life...
Read MorePembrolizumab or ipilimumab in treatment of advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This study looked at the safety and effectiveness of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and ipilimumab (Yervoy), in the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma. The authors found that overall survival was higher in the group treated with pembrolizumab in all cases. Some background Cancer cells can have different receptors for certain...
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