Experimental Vaccine Improves Melanoma Outcomes
(06/05/2009)
Patients with advanced melanoma experienced higher response rates and longer survival without cancer progression when treated with an experimental anticancer vaccine in addition to standard therapy. These were the preliminary findings from a Phase III clinical trial presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Nexavar® Fails to Improve Melanoma Survival
(05/13/2009)
Among patients with Stage III or Stage IV melanoma that cannot be surgically removed, treatment with a combination of Nexavar® (sorafenib) and chemotherapy did not result in better survival than treatment with chemotherapy alone. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were made available in a press release from Onyx Pharmaceuticals.
May Is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month
(04/29/2009)
As the month of May brings skin cancer into focus, it’s a great time to increase public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated skin cancer information throughout the year.
Paraplatin®, Taxol®, and Avastin® Beneficial for Metastatic Melanoma
(02/09/2009)
The combination of Paraplatin® (carboplatin), Taxol® (paclitaxel), and Avastin® (bevacizumab) is well tolerated and provides clinical benefit in patients with metastatic melanoma, according to the results of a study published in Cancer.
Mobile Phone Use Not Linked with Melanoma of the Eye
(01/26/2009)
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, mobile phone use does not increase the risk of uveal melanoma (melanoma of the eye).
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Screening/Prevention
May Is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month
(04/29/2009)
As the month of May brings skin cancer into focus, it’s a great time to increase public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated skin cancer information throughout the year.
Mobile Phone Use Not Linked with Melanoma of the Eye
(01/26/2009)
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, mobile phone use does not increase the risk of uveal melanoma (melanoma of the eye).
Melanoma Rates Increasing in Young Women
(07/11/2008)
Rates of melanoma—the most deadly form of skin cancer—continue to increase among young women in the United States. These results were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Patients Undergoing Organ Transplant at Increased Risk for Skin Cancer
(04/30/2008)
Patients who receive an organ transplant are at an increased risk for developing various types of cancer, including skin cancers. It recommended that these patients receive extensive education about risks of skin cancer as well as screening measures. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Tanning Beds Pose Skin Cancer Risks
(04/28/2008)
Despite marketing efforts by the tanning bed industry that use of tanning beds can provide the healthful benefit of increasing vitamin D levels, researchers claim that “there is absolutely no justification for indoor tanning,” citing the associated risk of skin cancer and the availability of vitamin D from sources other than UV exposure. These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Stages I-II
Sentinel-node Biopsy Plays Important Role in Melanoma
(09/28/2006)
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, sentinel-node biopsy provides prognostic information in patients with intermediate-thickness melanoma, and may lead to improved survival in patients who are found to have a positive sentinel node.
Addition of TNF-α to Melphalan Does Not Improve Outcomes in Melanoma Patients Undergoing Isolated Limb Perfusion
(09/11/2006)
Among patients undergoing hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion for locally advanced melanoma, the addition of TNF-α to melphalan resulted in a higher complication rate without improving treatment response. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Autoimmunity During Interferon Treatment for Melanoma Linked with Improved Survival
(02/17/2006)
Among patients receiving immunotherapy for melanoma, those who showed evidence of autoimmunity (an immune response against the body’s own tissues) survived significantly longer than those who did not. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
No Benefit for Stage II Melanoma with Addition of Isotretinoin
(02/17/2006)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the addition of isotretinoin to interferon alfa provides no benefit over interferon alfa alone in the treatment of stages IIA-IIB melanoma.
History of Melanoma Increases Risk of Second Melanoma
(10/05/2005)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, patients who have been diagnosed with melanoma have an increased risk of developing sites of second or third melanomas. These patients should continue to undergo frequent dermatologic monitoring.
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Stage III
Experimental Vaccine Improves Melanoma Outcomes
(06/05/2009)
Patients with advanced melanoma experienced higher response rates and longer survival without cancer progression when treated with an experimental anticancer vaccine in addition to standard therapy. These were the preliminary findings from a Phase III clinical trial presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Nexavar® Fails to Improve Melanoma Survival
(05/13/2009)
Among patients with Stage III or Stage IV melanoma that cannot be surgically removed, treatment with a combination of Nexavar® (sorafenib) and chemotherapy did not result in better survival than treatment with chemotherapy alone. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were made available in a press release from Onyx Pharmaceuticals.
Genasense® Improves Survival in Some Patients with Advanced Melanoma
(10/09/2006)
According to results recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the addition of Genasense® (oblimersen) to dacarbazine provides a significant survival benefit in patients with Stage III or IV melanoma. The benefit, however, was only present in patients with normal levels of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
Addition of TNF-α to Melphalan Does Not Improve Outcomes in Melanoma Patients Undergoing Isolated Limb Perfusion
(09/11/2006)
Among patients undergoing hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion for locally advanced melanoma, the addition of TNF-α to melphalan resulted in a higher complication rate without improving treatment response. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Autoimmunity During Interferon Treatment for Melanoma Linked with Improved Survival
(02/17/2006)
Among patients receiving immunotherapy for melanoma, those who showed evidence of autoimmunity (an immune response against the body’s own tissues) survived significantly longer than those who did not. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Stage IV
Experimental Vaccine Improves Melanoma Outcomes
(06/05/2009)
Patients with advanced melanoma experienced higher response rates and longer survival without cancer progression when treated with an experimental anticancer vaccine in addition to standard therapy. These were the preliminary findings from a Phase III clinical trial presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Nexavar® Fails to Improve Melanoma Survival
(05/13/2009)
Among patients with Stage III or Stage IV melanoma that cannot be surgically removed, treatment with a combination of Nexavar® (sorafenib) and chemotherapy did not result in better survival than treatment with chemotherapy alone. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were made available in a press release from Onyx Pharmaceuticals.
Paraplatin®, Taxol®, and Avastin® Beneficial for Metastatic Melanoma
(02/09/2009)
The combination of Paraplatin® (carboplatin), Taxol® (paclitaxel), and Avastin® (bevacizumab) is well tolerated and provides clinical benefit in patients with metastatic melanoma, according to the results of a study published in Cancer.
Preventive Dental Care Reduces Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Associated with Bisphosphonates
(08/20/2008)
Patients who undergo preventive dental care prior to receiving therapy with bisphosphonates have a significantly reduced risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. These results were published in an early online publication in the Annals of Oncology.
Radiofrequency Ablation Effective for Primary Lung Tumors and Lung Metastases from Melanoma
(08/04/2008)
The use of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lung cancer and lung metastases from breast, colon, and prostate cancers and melanoma is effective and safe for some patients. These results were recently published in the Lancet Oncology.
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Recurrent
Preventive Dental Care Reduces Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Associated with Bisphosphonates
(08/20/2008)
Patients who undergo preventive dental care prior to receiving therapy with bisphosphonates have a significantly reduced risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. These results were published in an early online publication in the Annals of Oncology.
Addition of Gliadel® Wafer to Surgery and Radiation Effective for Brain Metastasis
(06/22/2007)
According to an article in Clinical Cancer Research, the addition of Gliadel® Wafer (carmustine polymer wafer) to surgery plus external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of a single brain metastasis is a safe and effective regimen for patients.
Engineered Immune Cells May Help Fight Melanoma
(09/01/2006)
According to an early online publication in the journal Science, a patient’s own genetically engineered immune cells may help to fight melanoma.
Therapy Involving Patient’s Immune Cells Effective for Refractory, Advanced Melanoma
(04/07/2005)
According to results recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, therapy involving a patient’s own immune cells appears promising in the treatment of advanced melanoma that has stopped responding to standard therapies.
Radiation Therapy Helps Prevent Local Recurrences in Melanoma
(04/16/2003)
According to a recent article published in the journal
Cancer, adjuvant radiation therapy appears to prevent local recurrences in patients with spread of melanoma to cervical (neck) lymph nodes.
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