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Awakening «dormant» cells to fight cancer

A team from UNIGE and HUG identified a protein regulation mechanism that reduces melanoma cells' capacity to adapt and resist treatment. They found that targeting this mechanism with an enzyme inhibitor reduces therapeutic resistance in all melanoma cells.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·DateSep 22, 2022

Researchers decipher the mechanism that enables skin cancer to metastasize to the brain - and inhibited its spread by 80%

Tel Aviv University researchers discovered that skin cancer cells interact with astrocytes in the brain, promoting metastasis. By inhibiting this interaction using existing treatments, they delayed the spread of melanoma to the brain by 60-80%. This breakthrough has implications for treating advanced-stage melanoma.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalJCI Insight·DateSep 20, 2022

Wistar scientists identify key biomarkers that reliably predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for melanoma

Researchers found mutations in leukocyte and T-cell proliferation regulation processes that contribute to ICI treatment response and resistance. The study provides a framework to develop predictors for melanoma, potentially enhancing responses and increasing patient numbers.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 19, 2022

Moffitt physicians lead international study to identify melanoma patients with high-risk disease

Researchers identified high-risk patients with stage 3A disease and microscopic lymph node metastases who would benefit from adjuvant therapy. Patients with larger metastases had poorer outcomes, while those with smaller metastases had better survival rates similar to stage 1A disease.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 23, 2022

Destroying tumor cells: Targeted immunotherapy using injectable materials

Researchers at TIBI developed a minimally invasive method for targeted delivery of immunotherapeutic treatments, resulting in slower tumor growth and higher activation of T-cells. The injectable gelatin biomaterial containing silicate nanoplatelets showed sustained drug release and controlled ICI delivery.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2022

Melanoma thickness equally hard for algorithms and dermatologists to judge

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that assessing melanoma thickness is challenging for both human dermatologists and machine-learning algorithms. Despite differences in success rates, both groups achieved comparable results when evaluating dermoscopic images, highlighting the need for further study to improve diagnost...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 20, 2022

Study identifies unique underlying molecular factors driving melanoma development

Researchers identify key features of a gene mutation responsible for 15-20% of melanomas, establishing a link between the frequency of specific NRAS mutations and spontaneous melanoma formation. The study could help pinpoint early events required for melanoma formation and develop targeted treatments.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2022

Getting under our skin

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have created spatial maps that show how melanoma cells and immune cells interact as a tumor develops. The maps, which offer insights into the early events in melanoma, reveal signs of immunosuppression and may aid in understanding how to prevent or treat the disease.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 14, 2022

Scientists discover gene mutation that signals aggressive melanoma

Researchers have identified a gene mutation in ARID2 that signals the development of aggressively metastatic melanoma. The study suggests patients with this mutation may require different treatment approaches to manage their cancer effectively. Further research is underway to refine this understanding and improve patient outcomes.

Levi A. Garraway, MD, PhD, FAACR, to receive 2022 AACR-Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research

Levi A. Garraway is being honored for his groundbreaking contributions to cancer research, including the identification of melanoma genes and development of precision oncology approaches. He has also championed parallel sequencing as a definitive approach to tumor genomic profiling, revolutionizing cancer treatment strategies.

FDA approved new immunotherapy regimen for patients with melanoma based on Johns Hopkins Research

The FDA has approved a novel combination therapy of relatlimab and nivolumab for patients with metastatic or inoperable melanoma. The treatment significantly delayed cancer progression time compared to nivolumab alone. LAG-3 blockade reinvigorated T cell anti-tumor activity, establishing the pathway as the third immune checkpoint target.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 23, 2022

Moffitt researchers perform comprehensive analysis of cellular and molecular characteristics of acral melanoma

Researchers from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center identified unique features of acral melanoma, including immune checkpoints that could represent novel therapeutic targets for this neglected disease. The study's findings may lead to more effective treatments for patients with acral melanoma.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2022

Changing the standard of care for stage III melanoma surgery

Researchers found that patients with stage III melanoma who received immunotherapy alone had better rates of distant metastasis-free survival compared to those who underwent completion lymph node dissection. The study suggests that de-escalation of unnecessary therapies, such as CLND, may improve patient outcomes and reduce complications.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAnnals of Surgical Oncology·DateMar 4, 2022

High-fiber diet associated with improved progression-free survival and response to immunotherapy in melanoma patients

Patients with sufficient fiber intake had improved progression-free survival and response to immunotherapy in melanoma. A high-fiber diet was associated with slower tumor growth and increased CD4+ T cells in pre-clinical models, supporting the potential benefits of dietary interventions on cancer treatment outcomes.

CNIO researchers discover a new mechanism involved in early melanoma metastasis

CNIO researchers have identified a new biomarker for early melanoma metastasis, proposing the use of NGFR to predict disease prognosis and define risk groups. Blocking NGFR drastically reduces metastasis in mice, paving the way for a potential first treatment to tackle metastasis in its earliest stages.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2021

Trial stopped early: Giving immunotherapy before targeted therapy improves survival in advanced melanoma

A clinical trial found that giving immunotherapy before targeted therapy improves survival in advanced melanoma patients, with a two-year overall survival rate of 72% compared to 52%. The study suggests that immunotherapy should be the initial approach for treating metastatic melanoma patients, regardless of BRAF mutation status.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 15, 2021

Combination immunotherapy improves survival for patients with asymptomatic melanoma brain metastases

A Phase II study shows that combination treatment with nivolumab and ipilimumab improves overall survival in patients with asymptomatic melanoma brain metastases, with an overall survival rate of 71.9% at three years. The treatment demonstrates durable responses, even in symptomatic patients.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 10, 2021

Why don’t adrenal gland metastases respond to immunotherapy?

Researchers discovered that adrenal gland metastases are unresponsive to checkpoint inhibitors due to the secretion of corticosteroids. Surgical removal is the current best course of action for patients with these metastases. The study's authors hope to develop a nonsurgical treatment option in the future.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateSep 23, 2021

Increased survival with eye melanoma in clinical trial

A new combination treatment has shown significant tumor shrinkage and prolonged survival in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. The treatment, which targets HDAC and PD-1 proteins, was found to work better in tumors with active BAP1 genes, a key discovery that may lead to improved survival rates.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 30, 2021

Adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes may be less effective in patients with pretreated metastatic melanoma

Patients with relapsed metastatic melanoma who received prior anti-PD-1 therapies had a lower response rate to adoptive cell transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (ACT-TIL). ACT-TIL was less effective in these patients compared to those who had never received anti-PD-1 therapy. The study found that the objective response rate and ...

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateAug 19, 2021

Study identifies gut microbes associated with toxicity to combined checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma patients

A study found specific gut microbiota signatures correlate with high-grade adverse events and response to combined CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockade treatment. The research identified a potential new strategy to treat toxicity while maintaining response through IL-1R inhibition or manipulation of the gut microbiota.