In a nutshell The authors evaluated the safety and effectiveness of nab-paclitaxel (Abraxene), a chemotherapy, in patients with advanced melanoma. The authors found that nab-paclitaxel was safe, effective, and provided favorable outcomes. Some background In advanced melanoma, cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. This is called...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study evaluated the effectiveness of ultrasound exams for the early detection of melanoma spread to the liver. The authors found that regular scans could be used to effectively detect cancer spread to the liver among uveal melanoma patients. Some background Uveal melanoma is a rare cancer of the eye. Uveal melanoma is...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the risk factors for late spread of melanoma in patients disease-free for 10 to 15 years. Researchers concluded that age at time of diagnosis and tumor thickness are predictors of late melanoma relapse. Some background Early stage melanoma patients are often considered ‘cured’ after 10 or...
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In a nutshell The authors reviewed different treatment options for melanoma that spread to brain. This included surgery and combination treatment, among others, and scope for future treatments. Some background In advanced melanoma, the cancer often spreads to the brain. This is called brain metastasis. This affects quality of life and also...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effect of a type of immunotherapy in treating advanced melanoma. This immunotherapy was found to be safe and effective. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage 3 or 4), the cancer spreads to the other parts of the body. This is called metastasis. Immunotherapy is a promising treatment option...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This phase 1 and 2 clinical trial recruiting in Lousiville, Kentucky will evaluate the safety of vemurafenib (Zelboraf) in combination with metformin (Glucophage) in advanced melanoma patients. The primary goal of phase 1 is to observe severe or life-threatening adverse events (grade 4) in 6 melanoma patients receiving vemurafenib with...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effect of percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP, a method of treating melanoma that has spread to the liver) with melphalan (Alkeran). This study found that PHP with melphalan improved outcomes in melanoma patients with cancer spread to the liver. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage 3/4), cancer...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effectiveness of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), a virus therapy, for the treatment of advanced melanoma. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage 3/4), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. Immunotherapy (uses body’s own immune system to fight cancer) and targeted therapy are...
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In a nutshell The authors assessed the role of amputation (removal) in the management of melanoma in limbs (arms or legs). Some background There are many treatment options available for patients with limb melanoma. Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is one of the most common and effective treatments for limb melanoma. In ILP, high doses of chemotherapy...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors evaluated immune system-related adverse events and outcomes in melanoma patients treated with nivolumab (Opdivo). Some background In the advanced stage of melanoma (stage 3/4), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. Immunotherapy is a promising treatment option in advanced melanoma....
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a combination therapy of vemurafenib (Zelboraf) and cobimetinib (Cotellic) for the treatment of advanced melanoma. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage 3/4), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. Targeted therapy has shown improved outcomes in these stages...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors analyzed the patterns of survival and recurrence in patients with scalp (the skin covering the head but not the face) melanoma. Some background Head and neck skin melanomas occur in less than 20% of all cases. It is associated with worse outcome than melanoma of other body parts. Scalp melanoma is part of head and neck...
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