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Some patients respond more rapidly to immune therapies like ipilimumab, and clinicians have observed delayed toxicities with prolonged use of checkpoint inhibitors; effective treatments for subtypes of melanoma, such as uveal melanoma, have not yet emerged.

Identifying specific neo-antigens in melanoma, a cancer known for having high numbers of genetic mutations caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, is no easy task. learn more.

Skin cancer prevention advocates can learn from the experiences of two skin cancer prevention programs aimed at identifying opportunities to educate young people about sun safety.

Electronic surface brachytherapy is a low-energy radiation treatment for skin cancer. Radiologists are required to administer the treatment, which is controversial in terms of reimbursement and collaborative requirements.

FDA has approved dinutuximab (Unituxin, United Therapeutics) in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA), for the treatment of high-risk pediatric neuroblastoma patients who achieve at least a partial response to prior first-line multiagent, multimodality therapy.

Outcomes for patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma are typically poor and therapeutic options are limited, but advances in understanding the biology of the disease, as well as emerging cutting-edge treatments are expected to improve the outlook, experts say.

Ipilimumab has been evaluated in the adjuvant setting. One expert predicts that ipilimumab’s positive effect on progression-free survival will translate into improvements in overall survival; however, he cautions that there is a risk:benefit ratio to be weighed.

New agent approvals over the last several years and even better ones in the pipeline have displaced older therapies and improved outcomes for patients with melanoma. Some physicians say, the future may bring a cure.

Advancing BCC treatment

The success of the Hedgehog inhibitors in treating BCC as well as basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) has changed patients’ lives. Traditionally there was little we could do for patients with locally advanced or metastasized disease, but with understanding of the Hedgehog pathway, we can now intervene, experts say.

Researchers are aiming to better understand the molecular signaling pathways and the immune microenvironment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The use of targeted or mechanism-based therapies may lead to better-understood combinations, higher response rates and better survival.

Retrospective research demonstrated a significant difference between dermatologists and non-dermatologists in recognizing melanoma, suggesting increased dermatology training for non-dermatologists should be a priority.

Whole-body photographic camera developed out of U.S. military surveillance technology may have applications in dermatology. Dermatologists could one day use the camera to take whole-body images in high-risk patients; then, let a computer do the work of analyzing lesions that need attention.

The Food and Drug Administration has granted accelerated approval to nivolumab (Opdivo, Bristol-Myers Squibb) for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma and for patients whose disease has progressed following ipilimumab and, if BRAF V600 mutation-positive, a BRAF inhibitor.