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Learn about the latest treatments for metastatic melanoma. We’ve got it covered, from new FDA approvals to emerging approaches in immunotherapy, targeted therapy, cancer vaccines, drug combinations, antibody-drug conjugates, and more.

July 14, 2021
What’s New in Melanoma Treatment in 2021?
Emma Shtivelman, PhD
I last wrote about melanoma treatment more than 2 years ago, a fairly long time in the evolution of treatments for this type of cancer. Just as a refresher, the current mainstays of drugs to treat melanoma fall into two categories: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), antibody drugs that bind to proteins found on the immune system’s T cells—namely, PD-1 (which is targeted by the… Read more »
November 24, 2020
Cancer Vaccine UV1 Plus Keytruda Shows Safety, Early Efficacy in Advanced Melanoma Trial Bookmark
George Lundberg, MD
A story from Immuno-Oncology News covers new results from a phase 1 clinical trial that indicate promising safety and early efficacy of a treatment that combines the drug Keytruda and an experimental cancer vaccine for people with advanced melanoma.

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October 22, 2020
Malignant Melanoma Treatment & Management Bookmark
George Lundberg, MD
Overview from Medscape curated by Contributing Editor George Lundberg, MD, who notes:

The dramatic array of treatment options now available for this serious disease is nicely summarized in this review. (Free registration required, written with a physician audience in mind.)

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August 7, 2020
FDA Approves Merck’s Keytruda, Foundation Medicine CDx for TMB-High Solid Tumors Bookmark
George Lundberg, MD
Article from GenomeWeb curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug pembrolizumab (brand name Keytruda) for solid tumors based solely on whether they have a high tumor mutational burden—a high number of changes in the DNA of the cancer cells.

Go to full article published by GenomeWeb.

If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.
September 9, 2019
How to Treat Uveal Melanoma that Recurs in the Liver?
With: Emma Shtivelman, PhD
A Q&A with Emma Shtivelman, PhD, Chief Scientist at Cancer Commons; emma@cancercommons.org Q: Malignant melanoma may arise from multiple sites, including the eye. What would you recommend be done for a 50-year-old man in the San Francisco Bay Area who was entirely well for nine years after undergoing enucleation surgery for a large uveal melanoma, but has now been informed by his physician that… Read more »

Cancer Commons has been exceptional. My family and I could not be happier with the attention and passion that this organization has shown towards us. Thank you for being so responsive and reassuring us that there is so much hope.

Larry Simmons
Pancreatic cancer patient

Molecular tests help match patients to the personalized treatments that are most likely to work for them. Keep up with new developments in genetic tests, blood tests, liquid biopsies, tumor mutations, other biomarkers, precision medicine, and next-generation sequencing.

April 4, 2017
Metastatic Melanoma: Not Quite Curable…But Getting There
Emma Shtivelman, PhD
By 2050, the number of deaths due to malignant melanoma in the U.S. could be three times lower than peak levels reached before 1960. Researchers presented the data behind this prediction at the 2017 European Cancer Congress in January. It is unclear how much of this anticipated decline in deaths can be attributed to the availability of new, effective treatments. However, it is obvious… Read more »
August 15, 2020
Pembrolizumab Provides Long-Term Benefit in Melanoma, Regardless of BRAF+ Status or Prior Targeted Therapy Bookmark
George Lundberg, MD
Article from OncLive curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes:

A new study shows that the drug pembrolizomab significantly prolongs survival in patients with metastatic melanoma, regardless of whether their tumors have mutations in the BRAF gene or if they’ve had prior treatment with targeted therapy.

Go to full article published by OncLive.

If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.
February 7, 2017
Testing for Tumor Mutations: Liquid Biopsy Versus Traditional Biopsy
Emma Shtivelman, PhD
Update as of August 27, 2020: A lot has changed in the three-and-a-half years since this blog post was written. Liquid biopsies are by now widely recognized and used as a valuable diagnostic and monitoring tool. Many of the reservations and concerns described in the original post below have been addressed and largely resolved by refining the technology. The latest proof of this is… Read more »
September 9, 2015
To PD-L1 or Not to PD-L1: That Is the Question
Emma Shtivelman, PhD
These days, it seems that I write mostly about immune checkpoint blockade drugs, or some other new immunotherapy treatment for cancer. This post is no different—it covers PD-L1, a protein that is at the center of clinical decisions for selecting patients who are likely to benefit from treatment with an anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 drug.
August 13, 2015
What Determines Whether a Melanoma Patient Will Respond to Checkpoint Blockade Drugs?
Emma Shtivelman, PhD
Of all cancer types, melanoma is the most investigated in terms of its potential to be treated through immune system-based approaches. More immunotherapy drugs are approved for melanoma than for any other type of cancer, and more are in development. Recent additions to the immunotherapy arsenal are the ‘anti-PD-1’ immune checkpoint blockade drugs pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo).

Some of the most promising new treatments for metastatic melanoma are currently being tested in patients enrolled in clinical trials. We help you stay up to date on the latest results from these studies.

August 15, 2020
ICI for Resected Stage IV Melanoma Bookmark
George Lundberg, MD
Research highlight from Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes:

In a clinical trial for metastatic melanoma patients, a combination of the drugs nivolumab and ipilimumab (both “immune checkpoint inhibitors,” or ICIs) outperformed nivolumab on its own, and nivolumab on its own outperformed a placebo.

Go to full research highlight published by Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology.

If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.
October 22, 2018
Dual Neoadjuvant Checkpoint Blockade Feasible in Melanoma Bookmark
Emma Shtivelman, PhD
Excerpt from MedPage Today:

“Combination neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade therapy yielded promising outcomes in high-risk resectable melanoma, although toxicity was an issue, according to a phase II trial.

“The combination of ipilimumab (Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo) led to improved progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) versus neoadjuvant nivolumab monotherapy in 23 patients with high-risk resectable melanoma, reported Jennifer A. Wargo, MD, of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues in Nature Medicine.”

Go to full article published by MedPage Today on Oct 11, 2018.

If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.
October 1, 2018
BRAF-MEK Inhibitor Combo Extends Survival in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Bookmark
Emma Shtivelman, PhD
Excerpt from Cancer Network:

“The combination of encorafenib and binimetinib resulted in longer overall survival (OS) compared with vemurafenib in patients with BRAF V600–mutant melanoma, according to results of the COLUMBUS trial. Combined with an earlier report showing improved progression-free survival (PFS), this suggests the regimen should become an important option in this setting.

“Small-molecule BRAF inhibitors, originally introduced as monotherapy, offered improvements in outcomes for these melanoma patients. ‘However, response durations were short and BRAF inhibitor treatment was associated with the development of squamous cell skin cancer and other skin toxicities related to paradoxical MAPK pathway activation,’ wrote study authors led by Reinhard Dummer, MD, of University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland. Combinations of BRAF and MEK inhibition have improved the situation further, but better treatment options are still needed.”

Go to full article published by Cancer Network on Sep 26, 2018.

If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.
September 18, 2018
Could Adding a TLR9 Agonist Improve Responses in Metastatic Melanoma? Bookmark
Emma Shtivelman, PhD
Excerpt from Cancer Network:

“A phase I trial found promising activity and good tolerability with the combination of pembrolizumab and a stimulant of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) known as SD-101 in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, particularly in those who had not received prior anti–programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy.

“PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition has improved outcomes in metastatic melanoma, and studies have indicated that combination therapy can increase immune responses further. “Despite the improvement in response rates with combination immunotherapy, a large unmet need remains,” wrote study authors led by Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.”

Go to full article published by Cancer Network on Sep 5, 2018.

If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.

The world of advanced cancer treatment can be complex and confusing. Get oriented with tips on what to ask your doctor, second opinions, how to enroll in a clinical trial, and more.

June 29, 2021
Helping Patients Access Investigational Treatments
With: Susan C. Winckler, RPh, Esq.Lea Ann Browning-McNee
For some advanced cancer patients, the best course of action may lie beyond standard treatment options. Some of these patients can enroll in clinical trials that investigate promising new treatments. But others may find their best option is to apply for individual “expanded access” to an investigational treatment. Here, our Curious Dr. George asks two leaders from the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and… Read more »
January 26, 2021
Behind the Scenes at Cancer Commons: Working with Patients
With: Emma Shtivelman, PhD
Cancer Commons helps advanced cancer patients identify and access their best-possible treatments. Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Chief Scientist Emma Shtivelman, PhD, for an inside look at how she helps the people who turn to us for guidance. Curious Dr. George: As Chief Scientist at Cancer Commons for many years, you have helped thousands of patients with advanced cancer to better understand their… Read more »
December 4, 2020
What Is a Cancer Commons Options Report?
With: Lola Rahib, PhD
As a Cancer Commons Scientist, Lola Rahib, PhD, helps cancer patients and caregivers navigate treatment. Some of these patients receive a Cancer Commons Options Report. Here, our Curious Dr. George asks Dr. Rahib to share what goes into each Options Report. Curious Dr. George: Cancer Commons provides advanced cancer patients who seek information with additional options for them to consider, all free of charge. What does… Read more »
November 23, 2020
Hydrogen Peroxide Appears to Treat Pre-Cancerous Oral Lesion in “N-of-One” Experiment
With: Ronald Piana
Numerous patients come to Cancer Commons because they wonder if their best cancer treatment option may lie beyond standard care. For many patients, this will mean receiving treatment through a clinical trial. However, with the input and supervision of their medical care team, a select number of patients may arrange to try a non-standard treatment outside of a normal clinical trial. This approach is… Read more »
October 8, 2020
Pediatric Cancer: The “Day One Talk” Bookmark
Marty Tenenbaum, PhD
Article from the Journal of Clinical Oncology, curated by Cancer Commons founder Marty Tenenbaum, PhD.

This piece discusses a “method of delivering bad news to parents of children with cancer in hopes that our approach may be helpful to others and may spur discussion.”

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This free-of-charge, high-quality information service is a wonderful resource for patients with advanced cancer.

Hope S. Rugo, MD
UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center

Cancer affects many aspects of life, whether you’re newly diagnosed, in the midst of treatment, or in follow-up care. Learn about ways to maintain quality of life, such as palliative care and managing side effects.

October 14, 2019
Pediatric Palliative Care: A Specialty Comes of Age
Sarah Friebert, MD
For a child with cancer, palliative care can provide much-needed relief from stress and symptoms—for the patient and their family alike. Palliative care is given alongside cancer treatment, and is not synonymous with “end-of-life” care. In fact, anyone with a serious illness can benefit from palliative care, no matter their long-term outlook. Because of its importance for children with cancer, we are honored to… Read more »
February 11, 2020
‘Impressed With Impact’ of Ketamine in Cancer Palliative Care Bookmark
George Lundberg, MD
Article from Medscape curated by Editor in Chief George Lundberg, MD, who notes:

Depression is, for obvious reasons, common in patients with advanced cancer. The old, inexpensive drug ketamine—already approved for medical use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—seems rapidly effective, according to small studies.

Go to full article published by Medscape.

If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.
October 7, 2019
Emphasizing Oncogeriatrics
With: Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti, MD
A Q&A with Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti, MD, Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, and Chair of the Young Interest Group of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG); nicolo.battisti@gmail.com Q: Everyone knows that the practice of pediatric oncology is very different from adult oncology. How does the growing field of oncogeriatrics differ from usual adult oncology? A:… Read more »
April 8, 2019
New Study Suggests Diet May Affect Response To Cancer Immunotherapy Drugs Bookmark
Emma Shtivelman, PhD
Excerpt:

“People with a type of skin cancer who consumed a high-fiber diet responded better to immunotherapy treatment than those with poorer diets, according to data presented at a media preview of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting.

“Melanoma is a type of skin cancer which although very treatable if caught early, still kills approximately 9,000 Americans a year, mainly people who are diagnosed a more advanced stage of disease where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.”

Go to full article published by Forbes on Feb 27, 2019.

If you’re wondering whether this story applies to your own cancer case or a loved one’s, we invite you to get support from Cancer Commons.
December 3, 2018
Best Uses of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Patients with Cancer
With: Val Jones, MD
A Q&A with Val Jones, MD, Medical Director of Admissions, Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, Spokane, WA Originally published February 1, 2017 Q: Your principal practice in Spokane, Washington is physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). What do you find to be the best uses of PM&R in patients with cancer at your facility? A: Rehabilitation medicine is one of the best-kept secrets in healthcare. Although the… Read more »

You’re not alone. Read how other patients and caregivers navigated diagnosis, treatment, and life with cancer. We hope their stories provide insights and hope for your own cancer journey.

Topics

Featured

Treatment Options for Melanoma

Cancer Vaccine UV1 Plus Keytruda Shows Safety, Early Efficacy in Advanced Melanoma Trial Bookmark

Malignant Melanoma Treatment & Management Bookmark

FDA Approves Merck’s Keytruda, Foundation Medicine CDx for TMB-High Solid Tumors Bookmark

New Melanoma Molecular Testing Options

Pembrolizumab Provides Long-Term Benefit in Melanoma, Regardless of BRAF+ Status or Prior Targeted Therapy Bookmark

Latest Clinical Trial Results in Melanoma

ICI for Resected Stage IV Melanoma Bookmark

Dual Neoadjuvant Checkpoint Blockade Feasible in Melanoma Bookmark

BRAF-MEK Inhibitor Combo Extends Survival in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Bookmark

Could Adding a TLR9 Agonist Improve Responses in Metastatic Melanoma? Bookmark

Navigating Treatment

Pediatric Cancer: The “Day One Talk” Bookmark

Living With Cancer

‘Impressed With Impact’ of Ketamine in Cancer Palliative Care Bookmark

New Study Suggests Diet May Affect Response To Cancer Immunotherapy Drugs Bookmark

Patient Stories

The Big Picture

Cancer Support for LGBTQIA Patients Is Missing Bookmark

Cancer and Covid-19

COVID-19 Vaccination: The VOICE for Patients with Cancer Bookmark

Patients with Cancer Less Likely to Enroll in Clinical Trials Due to COVID-19 Bookmark

NCI-Supported Clinical Trials for Coronavirus Bookmark

What Cancer Survivorship Can Teach Us About COVID-19 Bookmark

Expertise