It has taken decades of work for researchers to find ways to activate the immune system to treat cancer (what we now call immuno-oncology or I-O). Much of that work has been poorly funded. Largely, it has been the result of researchers getting experience in other disciplines (like infectious disease) and then transferring that expertise to oncology...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the secondary effects of having axillary lymphadenectomy (ALD; surgery to remove the lymph nodes in the underarms region) in melanoma patients. Researchers suggested that ALD is a low risk surgery for melanoma patients. Some background The standard treatment for melanoma patients spread to the lymph nodes is...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the long-term safety and effectiveness of dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist) in metastatic melanoma. Researchers suggested that this treatment increased overall survival in melanoma patients. Some background Some melanoma patients have a mutation (permanent change) in the BRAF gene. Dabrafenib...
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“I think all too often we underestimate the impact of a cancer diagnosis on the mental health and well-being of the individual, thus it goes unaddressed.” ~Stephanie Zimmerman, MSN Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can bring on feelings of worry, fear, dread, anger, uncertainty and loss. Research indicates that, for some people, these symptoms of...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the impact of the time between diagnosis and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in melanoma outcomes. Researchers suggested that no negative effects are associated with delayed SLNB. Some background SLNB is a procedure used to detect lymph node metastasis (spread disease) in melanoma patients. The...
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In a nutshell This study reviewed the currently available treatments for melanoma brain metastasis (MBM; spread to the brain). Researchers reported that treatment should be personalized for the different types of patients. Some background Melanoma has the highest risk of spreading to the brain among all common cancer types. Until the last...
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In July 2017, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conducted the National Cancer Opinion Survey to find out what people in the US know about cancer. ASCO released the results in October. The findings have already influenced recommendations made by the organization. Beliefs About Cancer Risk Among other questions, the survey asked 4,016...
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In It’s All In Your Gut, A High Fiber Diet and the Immune System, we introduced the microbiome that lives in our body. It helps with our digestion and makes the short-chained fatty acids (SCFAs) that are important to our immune system. Now several recent studies are looking at bacteria in the bodies of people with cancer. Specifically, these...
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In a nutshell This phase 2 trial aims to test the effectiveness of the combined treatment of three different immunotherapies. The main outcomes of this trial will be the tumor response to the treatment and the overall survival. The details Immunotherapies stimulate the immune system to attack and kill cancer cells the way it would a virus or...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of isolated limb perfusion (ILP) in locally advanced melanoma. Researchers suggested that ILP was safe and effective in these patients. Some background Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the standard treatments for advanced melanoma. However, ILP has been shown to increase the rates...
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“For me, having lost my husband, it’s frustrating to hear publicly people saying to John McCain, ‘If anybody can beat this you can — you’re so tough.’ Not that it’s intentionally hurtful, but it does leave those of us who’ve lost a loved one thinking, ‘Was my loved one not tough enough? Did he not fight hard enough?'” ~Dannagal...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effect of nivolumab (Opdivo) in patients with progressive melanoma after ipilimumab (Yervoy) treatment. Researchers suggested that nivolumab treatment is associated with better response compared with chemotherapy. Some background Recent new therapies, such as immunotherapy, have changed the treatment of...
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