Section archive

Melanoma

Drug

Biomarkers may effectively help diagnose melanoma

Researchers profiled DNA methylation in melanoma and mole tissue and pinpointed sites on 22 genes whose methylation differs between melanomas and non-melanoma lesions, plus 12 locations highly predictive of melanoma, suggesting a methylation test could aid earlier, more accurate diagnosis.

Cancer

Cancer Drug Enables Immune System

Bristol-Myers Squibb's experimental ipilimumab, an engineered human protein, blocks a molecule that restrains the immune system. In Stephen Hodi's trial, 20 percent of advanced melanoma patients were alive two years on. Researchers say the right drug combination still needs working out.

Jun 7, 2010

Phytochemicals

Vegetable-based drug could suppress melanoma

Penn State researchers swapped selenium for sulfur in isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables and report in Clinical Cancer Research that the resulting isoselenocyanates inhibited tumor growth in mice by 50 to 60 percent at very low doses, more safely than conventional therapy.

Mar 1, 2009

Drug

Melanoma rates on the rise among young women

Federal researchers analysing cancer data from 1973 to 2004 found melanoma in younger women rose 50 percent after 1980 while young men's rates leveled off. They could not explain the gap and speculate recreational sun exposure or tanning beds may be responsible.

Jul 13, 2008

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