Skin Cancer

A recent survey shows that many consumers are confused about sunscreen labeling claims regarding sun protection factor (SPF), allergenicity and other features.

Novartis announces their phase 3 study investigating spartalizumab (PDR001) in combination with dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist) failed to meet its primary endpoint.

Recruiting is ongoing for an investigator-initiated clinical trial of pembrolizumab in clinical stage 2B/C melanoma which will investigate the effects of treatment with pembrolizumab before surgery to remove melanoma on the rate of positive sentinel lymph nodes in patients with stage IIB/C melanoma.

Leveraging artificial intelligence as an assistive tool could open up opportunities for streamlining melanoma diagnosis, expanding practice scope, and enhancing patient care.

The International Skin Imaging Collaboration is an academic and industry partnership designed to facilitate the clinical application of digital skin imaging, with an initial focus on melanoma. The group is developing standards for dermatologic imaging and building a public archive of clinical and dermoscopic images for use in developing artificial intelligence diagnostic algorithms.

Findings from a survey of college students examining beliefs about UV exposure and sunscreen use and their associations with skin cancer risk and UV protective behaviors provide some insights for patient counseling.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved atezolizumab plus cobimetinib and vemurafenib for treatment of BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma. Studies show the combination treatment prolonged patients’ lives by 15 months without disease worsening.

Findings of initial studies and call for further testing should not be misconstrued to mean ingredients are unsafe.

A recently published pooled 10-year analysis shows pembrolizumab demonstrates long-term survival benefits for advanced melanoma patients regardless of BRAF V600E/K mutation status or history of BRAFi, with or without MEKi therapy.

In this video, Hema Sundaram, MA, MD, FAAD, highlights important safety considerations to keep in mind regarding laser-assisted drug delivery.