In a nutshell This review investigated the effectiveness of PD-1 agents in the treatment of melanoma. Researchers suggested that treatment with these agents is associated with improved cancer outcomes. Some background The best treatment for melanoma remains to be determined, however surgery may be associated with a high cure rate. Patients...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The study examined if age played a role in the effect of immunotherapy treatment on patients with melanoma. The study concluded that immunotherapy is similarly effective in patients of all ages. Some background Immunotherapy is a type of treatment which targets the immune system to help it to fight cancer. A specific type of...
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“I’m barely 27 and if it were not for immunotherapy and cancer research, I would not have seen 25.” So starts Stefanie Joho speech at a 2017 Congressional Hearing called “Progress in Immunotherapy: Delivering Hope and Clinical Benefit to Cancer Patients.” When Stefanie was 22, she was diagnosed with a very aggressive Stage II...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study analyzed outcomes in advanced skin cancer patients who stopped their treatment of nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) due to side effects. This study concluded that many patients still benefit from the combination even after stopping treatment. Some background...
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Video information: As part of our coverage from the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, Dr. Ryan Sullivan from Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School provides a positive update for melanoma patients. Dr. Sullivan shares positive news related to PD-1 inhibitors and other promising advancements...
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Video information: In this replay, medical oncologist/melanoma specialist Dr. Michael Postow joins Patient Power host Andrew Schorr online from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to discuss combination therapies for patients with advanced melanoma. In the online chat, Andrew and Dr. Postow discuss how patients can get life-extending treatments...
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In a nutshell This study looked at the safety and effectiveness of isolated limb infusion in elderly patients with melanoma of the skin on a limb (arm/leg) that could not be surgically removed. The study found isolated limb infusion to be safe and effective in elderly patients. Some background lsolated limb perfusion (ILP) is a method of...
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In a nutshell This study compared survival rates in advanced melanoma patients treated with either pembrolizumab (Keytruda) or ipilimumab (Yervoy). The study found that patients treated with pembrolizumab had a higher survival rate and fewer overall side effects. Some background...
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In a nutshell This study examined factors associated with treatment and survival in patients with mucosal melanoma (cancer of the moist inner lining surfaces of the body). The study concluded that mucosal melanoma may have a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis. However, certain treatments may improve survival rates. Some background Mucosal...
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In a nutshell This review examined the effectiveness of dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist) for BRAF mutated melanoma with brain metastasis. Researchers concluded that this combined treatment is an important therapy option for patients with advanced melanoma. Some background Some melanoma patients have a mutation (permanant change) in...
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You may not know this but you can get warnings from the FDA on problems with prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. For example, on August 11, a FDA News Release issued this warning about over-the-counter liquid vitamins that are given to young children and those who cannot swallow pills. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec (Imlygic; T-VEC) with ipilimumab (Yervoy) in the treatment of inoperable stage 3 or 4 melanoma. Researchers concluded that this combination improves melanoma outcomes, with manageable side effects. Some background Immunotherapy has become an...
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