Melanoma & Skin Cancer News Round Up: 31/10/2014

MASScot does not endorse nor is affiliated with any of the content contained within these links. 

• Hugh Jackman skin cancer: Actor treated for basal cell carcinoma on his nose for third time in under a year

Hugh Jackman has been diagnosed and treated for basal cell carcinoma for the third time this year, his spokesperson has confirmed.

Source: Independent 

• Skin Cancer U? Students Tan on Campus at Top Colleges

America’s top universities may be teaching a dangerous lesson about tanning.

Twelve percent of the nation’s top colleges and universities have tanning beds on campus, and nearly half have them either on campus or in off-campus housing, according to a report published online Wednesday in JAMA Dermatology.

Source: NBC News 

• Thin Melanomas Are More Dangerous

Australian scientists have found that more people die from thin melanomas than thick melanomas, reinforcing the need for strong prevention strategies. The findings have been published in Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Source: Asian Scientist 

• Nine weeks of biochemotherapy effective for high-risk melanoma

A 9-week course of multiagent biochemotherapy markedly improved relapse-free survival in patients with high-risk melanoma, compared with the 1-year course of high-dose interferon that has been the unchallenged standard of care for this disease for decades, according to a report published online Oct. 27 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Source: Skin and Allergy News 

• Recognizing Melanoma and Precancerous Skin Problems

You might think that cancer is a problem for old age, but the truth is that certain common types of cancer begin cropping up as early as a person’s 30s. Hugh Jackman has been speaking out about the dangers of skin cancer this week, after having his third skin cancer treatment in a year. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and melanoma is the deadliest form. Early detection and treatment of skin cancer makes it curable in almost all cases, while ignoring the problem can be life threatening. 

Source: Good 4 Utah 

• TRAINING THE BODY TO FIGHT MELANOMA

In a bid to reduce the number of high school students diagnosed with melanoma in Australia, the Cancer Council is installing shade sails at schools throughout the Wyndham region of Australia. 

Source: Wyndham Star Weekly 

• Metastatic melanoma therapeutic pipeline market reviewed in new report

This report provides comprehensive information on the therapeutic development for Metastatic Melanoma, complete with comparative analysis at various stages, therapeutics assessment by drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type, along with latest updates, and featured news and press releases. It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Metastatic Melanoma and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects.

Source: What Tech 

Melanoma & Skin Cancer News Round Up: 27/10/2014

Melanoma Action and Support Scotland does not endorse nor is affiliated with any of the content contained within these links. 

• Tracking melanoma’s deadly path

Scientists have worked out the mechanics of how melanoma spreads to the bloodstream. Their findings may lead to more effective treatments

Source: Cosmos Magazine 

• Scientists discover hidden subpopulation of melanoma cells

UNC School of Medicine researchers have pinpointed a set of intriguing characteristics in a previously unknown subpopulation of melanoma cancer cells in blood vessels of tumors. These cells, which mimic non-cancerous endothelial cells that normally populate blood vessels in tumors, could provide researchers with another target for cancer therapies.

Source: Medical Xpress 

• New drug that targets melanoma approved by NICE

Guidance has been issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommending another drug in the battle against a serious type of skin cancer.

Source: Nursing Times 

• Scientists Discover New Melanoma Cell Subpopulation To Blame For Drug-Resistant Tumors

Just when researchers thought they knew all there was to know about melanoma cells, they have found new characteristics of these cancer cells. A new breed of melanoma cells was recently discovered, and they behave exactly like non-cancerous endothelial cells that populate blood vessels in tumors. Targeting these cells may be another cancer management therapy that scientists think they can exploit.

Source: Medical Daily 

• Woman's Mole Turned Out To Be Cancerous After Doctor Dismissed Her Worries

Months after a doctor dismissed a young woman’s mole as nothing serious, another doctor diagnosed her with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Source: Opposing Views 

• Novel Nanoparticle Delivers Melanoma-Fighting Drug Directly to the Cancer

Penn State College of Medicine researchers have developed a nanoparticle to deliver a melanoma-fighting drug directly to the cancer.

Source: Azonano 

• Skin cancers caught early kill more, study warns

PROMPTLY diagnosed melanomas are killing more people than advanced tumours, leading experts to warn that prevention is the only reliable defence against Australia’s third most common cancer.

Source: The Australian

• No association observed between obesity, risk for malignant melanoma

Researchers determined no convincing associations existed between obesity and the risk for malignant melanoma, according to study results published in a letter to the editor of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Source: Healio 

• Data Analysis Highlights Melanoma Risk

Scientists at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute say a study of melanoma deaths based on the thickness of tumours has reinforced the need for a strong focus on prevention strategies

Source:Health Canal

• A Former ‘Tan-oholic’ Pays the Price: Skin Cancer

Source: Everyday Health 

Melanoma and Skin Cancer News Round Up: 17/10/2014

MASScot does not endorse nor is affiliated with any of the content contained within these links.

• Chemical signal gives melanoma cancer cells a ‘green light’ to spread

Researchers have identified a chemical that melanoma cells follow when they spread around the body – raising the prospect of eventually switching it off

Source: The Guardian

• TERT Promoter Mutations Common in Melanoma

A recent study has confirmed that TERT promoter mutations are common genetic mutations in cutaneous melanoma, and that these mutations may be linked with poor prognosis in certain subtypes of the disease.

Source: Cancer Network 

• Perth toddler diagnosed with melanoma; six new drugs approved for clinical trials

Experts are reminding parents that melanoma does not discriminate, after a Perth toddler needed surgery to remove a tumour.

Source: ABC 

• Trend toward earlier treatment of uveal melanoma observed

"Despite identification of risk factors, many ophthalmologists still observe borderline lesions, waiting for growth before initiating treatment of uveal melanomas,” Jerry A. Shields, MD, said in his delivery of the Charles L. Schepens, MD, Lecture here.

Source: Healio

• Fashion trends parallel the rise in melanoma

Skin-baring fashions, increased leisure time and acceptance of the idea of a “healthy tan” may have a lot to do with the rising numbers of new melanoma cases each year, suggests a new study.

Source: The Star

• Scientists find that fat molecule directs melanoma to spread

Cancer Research UK scientists have shown that a fat molecule found in the body directs the most serious type of skin cancer to spread, according to research published in PLOS Biology.

Source: Health Canal 

• Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab in Advanced Melanoma

Immunotherapy combinations have generated excitement as treatments for patients with melanoma, specifically those involving PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors.

Source: Onc Live 

• Genomic test promising for boosting certainty of melanoma diagnoses

A new genomic diagnostic test (myPath Melanoma, Myriad Genetics) is a highly accurate tool for discriminating between malignant melanoma and benign nevi, according to results of a validation study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Source: Dermatology Times 

• Combination therapy likely to improve metastatic melanoma response

Evidence from ongoing trials will reveal the optimal approach to combining immune therapy and molecularly targeted therapy in the treatment of malignant melanoma, according to a presenter here at the 8th Canadian melanoma conference.

Source: Dermatology Times 

• The ongoing battle against melanoma

Melanoma is the most aggressive of skin cancers, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the 13,000 deaths caused by different types of skin cancers in the United States each year.

Source: Toledo Blade 

• People who feel ugly 'increase their risk of skin cancer': Those with low body confidence are more likely to sunbathe and avoid sunscreen

If you are unhappy with your looks, there is a greater risk of skin cancer, scientists have warned.

A study found that people who believe they are unattractive are more likely to ‘gamble with their skin’s health’ by basking in the sun.

They are also less likely to use sunscreen.

The UK and US researchers say that those with low body confidence may crave a tan in the belief that the golden glow makes them look better. 

Source: Daily Mail 

• Scots scientists: skin cancer spreads via ‘trail’

THE discovery of a signal given off by skin cancer cells before they migrate inside the body could be the first step towards stopping the spread of the disease, according to new research.

Source: The Scotsman 

• Top five myths about skin cancer

Source: SMH 

• Skin cancer can be mistaken for age spots: doctor

Age spots are common among elderly people who have made a living farming, but such brown marks can also be a symptom of skin cancer, as in the case of an 80-year-old farmer from Greater Taichung, a plastic surgeon warned recently.

Source: Taipei Times 

• Minimizing Skin Cancer Risk for Outdoor Workers

Skin cancer is one of the biggest fears for one in two outdoor workers and when the boss and staff work together the sun safe message gets through, a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) study has found.

Source: Skin Inc 

• Allergy to Metal Implants could trigger rare skin cancer.

For some patients, metal implants may increase the risk of an unusual and aggressive form of skin cancer.

Source: Futurity 

Melanoma and Skin Cancer News Round Up: 10/10/2014

MASScot does not endorse nor is affiliated with any of the content contained within these links.

• University of Aberdeen melanoma study wins research award

A study from the University of Aberdeen into melanoma treatment by GPs has won a major research award.

Dr Peter Murchie said melanoma sufferers who received their first treatment from a GP were no worse off than patients referred directly to hospital for treatment.

Source: BBC 

• 20th century fashion, trends parallel rise in melanoma

Skin-baring fashions, increased leisure time and acceptance of the idea of a “healthy tan” may have a lot to do with the rising numbers of new melanoma cases each year, suggests a new study.

Source: Yahoo

• BRAF/MEK Increases Overall Survival in Melanoma

A video from Antonio Ribas, professor of medicine at the University of California from the 2014 Congress of the European Society for Clinical Onocology in Madrid, Spain.

Source: MedScape

• Melanoma studies dominate ESMO

Meanoma studies dominated both the Presidential Symposium and poster sessions at the European Society for Medical Oncology 2014 meeting. Practice changing trials endorsed the "precision medicine" theme of the meeting, held in Madrid, Spain, September 26-30, with studies demonstrating inhibiting two pathways was better than one and the first ever phase 3 trial data of a PD1 inhibitor.

Source: Medical News Today

• Melanoma Can Be Found Sooner than Later Thanks to Innovative Camera

Scientists have found a way to detect the early stages of melanoma. This discovery may save lives.

By creating a camera that can snap shots of the entire human body and render high-resolution images of a patient's skin, they can find lesions that indicate skin cancers on patients.

Source: Design Trend 

• How skin cancer leapt after bikinis hit the beaches: Rate went up 400% between the 1930s and 1960s

The bikini could be to blame for increasing rates of skin cancer, researchers have concluded after analysing 100 years of beachwear.

Source: Daily Mail  

• Renae Ayris reveals she had skin cancer scare aged 15 at Solar D sunscreen launch with Jules Sebastian

Speaking at the launch to the Daily Mail Australia she said: 'I do have quite spotty skin and I have had one cut out before. 

'It was when I was about 15 - it was a black dot and they said it had pre-cancerous cells in it, so it is lucky they cut it out at the time.'

Source: Daily Mail 

• Unusual skin cancer linked to chronic allergy from metal orthopedic implant

In rare cases, patients with allergies to metals develop persistent skin rashes after metal devices are implanted near the skin. New research suggests these patients may be at increased risk of an unusual and aggressive form of skin cancer.

Source: WUSTL 

Melanoma and Skin Cancer News Round Up: 06/10/2014

MASScot does not endorse nor is affiliated with any of the content contained within these links.

• Are changes in fashion, tanning perceptions to blame for rising melanoma rates?

Rates of melanoma have been increasing for at least the past 30 years. Now, a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health claims a number of cultural and historical factors over the past 100 years, such as changes in fashion trends and social perceptions, have contributed to this increase.

Source: Medical News Today 

• Doctors explore social factors of melanoma

An increase in cases of melanoma over the past century may be attributed to a variety of social factors, according to a new study.

Source: Net Doctor

• New Standard in Melanoma: Combo of BRAF and MEK Inhibitors

For patients with advanced melanoma that is BRAF-mutation positive, the combination of a BRAF and MEK inhibitor works better than a BRAF inhibitor alone. The data come from 2 phase 3 trials presented here at the presidential session of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2014.

Source: Medscape 

• Bristol immune drug shows strong effect in melanoma study

Bristol-Myers Squibb's immunotherapy drug Opdivo produced markedly improved response rates with fewer toxic side effects compared to chemotherapy in a major melanoma study, underscoring its potential as a new treatment option.

Source: Reuters 

• Immunotherapy Combinations in Advanced Melanoma

Limited options currently exist for patients with metastatic melanoma who do not have an actionable mutation. In these situations, ipilimumab can be administered as a single-agent, Jeffrey A. Sosman, MD, notes. Additionally, chemotherapy can be administered until a response is achieved followed by a switch to ipilimumab or interleuken-2.

Source: Onc Live 

• Australia the first country in the world to see decline in skin cancer rates

Australia is the first country in the world to show an improvement in skin cancer rates, with a small reduction in levels of melanoma and non-melanoma in the under-45 age group.

Source: The Guardian 

• Drugs combination could help skin cancer patients extend life

Treating patients suffering from the deadliest form of skin cancer with a combination of drugs could help extend their lives, research has suggested.

Source: Herald Scotland 

• Skin cancer patients given fresh hope with University of Manchester research breakthrough

Patients with the most dangerous form of skin cancer could benefit from new research.

Researchers have found that ‘calming down’ the signals from immune cells called macrophages can slow the growth of melanoma tumours.

Source: Manchester Evening News