In a nutshell This article reviewed the types and frequency of different skin-related side effects that patients with melanoma experience while receiving biological treatments. Some background Treatment for patients with melanoma has changed in recent years from chemotherapy to biological therapies. Biological therapies include BRAF inhibitors...
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Retreatment with a second BRAF inhibitor in patients with advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This study wanted to see if using a different BRAF inhibitor was effective in the treatment of patients with melanoma. The study found that retreating with a slightly different BRAF inhibitor worked well. Some background Around 50% of patients with melanoma that has spread have a mutation in one of their genes. This gene is...
Read MoreIpilimumab after anti-PD1 agents benefits treatment of advanced melanomas
In a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of treatment with ipilimumab (Yervoy) after anti-PD1 agents such as nivolumab (Opdivo) or pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Researchers suggested that patients can benefit from treatment with ipilimumab, but at a cost of a higher toxicity. Some...
Read MoreEffect of BRAF inhibitors in melanoma patients with disease progression
In a nutshell The authors analyzed the effectiveness of continued treatment with dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and vemurafenib (Zelboraf) in advanced melanoma after disease progression despite treatment with these drugs. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage 3/4), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. BRAF genes are...
Read MoreRisk of eye inflammation in advanced melanoma treated with vemurafenib
In a nutshell The authors assessed the risk of eye inflammation in late-stage melanoma patients treated with vemurafenib (Zelboraf). Some background In advanced melanoma (stage 3/4), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. BRAF genes are often mutated (permanently changed) in advanced melanoma. BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) such as...
Read MoreNivolumab compared to chemotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma
In a nutshell The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of nivolumab (Opdivo) as secondary treatment in advanced melanoma. Some background In the advanced stage of melanoma (stage III/IV), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. BRAF inhibitors and immunotherapy are the standard treatments for...
Read MoreCombination treatments versus single treatment in malignant melanoma
In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether dacarbazine was better as a single or combination therapy when treating malignant melanoma. Some background Dacarbazine (DTIC) has been the most used and effective treatment option in malignant melanoma, however it has a low response rate (reduction in the signs or symptoms of cancer) of...
Read MoreEvaluating relapse patterns in stage III melanoma patients
In a nutshell The present article evaluated the time interval and site of relapse (return of the cancer) as well as survival rates in stage III melanoma patients who were considered cured after treatment. Some background Stage III melanoma is skin cancer that has spread to the nearby lymph nodes. Further classification (III A, III B and III...
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