Melanoma News and Research

Latest Melanoma News and Research

Novel adenovirus-based gene therapy for renal cell carcinoma

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM) have developed a novel virus-based gene therapy for renal cell carcinoma that has been shown to kill cancer cells not only at the primary tumor site but also in distant tumors not directly infected by the virus. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common form of kidney cancer in adults and currently there is no effective treatment for the disease once it has spread outside of the kidney.

16 Dec 2010

AmoyDx receives SFDA approval for its EGFR and BRAF mutations detection kits

Amoy Diagnostics announced today that its EGFR and BRAF mutation detection kits received market approval from China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). The SFDA is the competent authority for regulating drugs and in vitro diagnostics in mainland China. The approval allows AmoyDx to market the EGFR and BRAF tests for clinical use in China.

15 Dec 2010

Targeting mutant BRAF can kill cancer cells, but cannot finish off melanoma

This past summer saw a revolution in melanoma therapy. Patients whose melanoma lesions contain a mutation in the BRAF gene were successfully treated with a BRAF-specific inhibitor, PLX4032. Reports of the drug trial described shrinking tumors and improved health. Yet seven months after therapy began the tumors returned and resumed growing. Now, scientists at The Wistar Institute explain why: the tumor learns to signal around the blocked gene by adjusting its molecular wiring.

15 Dec 2010

CRI introduces new model of philanthropic investment to improve cancer patient care

Cancer Research Institute, Inc. (CRI), a U.S. nonprofit organization established in 1953 to advance the science of tumor immunology and foster the discovery of new cancer immunotherapies, announced today the launch of the Cancer Vaccine Acceleration Fund (CVAF), a new model of philanthropic investment and academic-industry collaboration established in partnership with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd (LICR) to speed the clinical development of therapeutic cancer vaccines and other immune system-based therapies.

15 Dec 2010

Abbott initiates ABT-806 Phase 1 trial in EGFR expressing tumors

Life Science Pharmaceuticals (LSP) announced today a milestone related to monoclonal-antibody (mAb) 806 licensed to Abbott. A Phase 1 trial with ABT-806, a humanized version of mAb 806 that selectively targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), has been initiated by Abbott in the U.S. The trial will assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of ABT-806 in patients with advanced solid tumors likely or known to express EGFR.

15 Dec 2010

Tolerx commences TRX518 Phase 1 trial in malignant melanoma

Tolerx, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer by modulating T cell activity, today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of TRX518, a monoclonal antibody designed to enhance the immune system by enabling T cells to more effectively attack cancer cells.

14 Dec 2010

Provectus commences PH-10 Phase 2c trial for psoriasis

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, has initiated a Phase 2c clinical trial of PH-10 for psoriasis. This multicenter, randomized controlled Phase 2c study is expected to enroll up to 90 subjects at four different sites, beginning in late December.

14 Dec 2010

Lack of strong molecular 'glue' allows tumour cells to break away and spread

A remarkable discovery into how tumour cells invade normal tissue should lead to vital diagnostic tools and help develop strategies to stop the spread of cancer cells. A new study by scientists at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital of McGill University reveals that the surface of aggressive tumour cells lack the strong molecular 'glue' responsible for binding normal cells together.

14 Dec 2010

Lilly suspends tasisulam global Phase III study in metastatic melanoma

Eli Lilly and Company announced today that it has suspended its global Phase III study evaluating tasisulam, an investigational, small-molecule anti-cancer compound, as a second-line treatment for those with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

13 Dec 2010

Pain Therapeutics completes special, one-time nondividend cash distribution

Pain Therapeutics, Inc. announced today the completion of a special, one-time nondividend cash distribution of $2.00 per share, or an aggregate of about $86 million. In connection with this event, Nasdaq® will adjust the price of PTIE by $2.00 per share at today's open.

13 Dec 2010

Researchers target MIC-1 protein to halt growth of melanoma tumors

Halting the growth of melanoma tumors by targeting the MIC-1 protein that promotes blood vessel development in tumors may lead to better treatment of this invasive and deadly cancer, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers in The Foreman Foundation Research Laboratory.

10 Dec 2010

Biovex announces OncoVEXGM-CSF Phase 3 study for head and neck cancer

BioVex Inc, a company developing next generation biologics for the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious disease, announced today that a Phase 3 pivotal study with OncoVEXGM-CSF for the first line treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head & neck has commenced.

10 Dec 2010

Myriad to acquire technology for diagnosis, prognosis of malignant melanoma

Myriad Genetics, Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire proprietary technology for the diagnosis and prognosis of malignant melanoma using highly validated genetic markers from Melanoma Diagnostics, Inc. of Altadena, California. Under the agreement, Myriad has the right to commercialize all tests derived from the technology on a worldwide basis in exchange for upfront fees and contingent payments based upon the commercial success of the products.

8 Dec 2010

CCS encourages CRD to support proposal on banning indoor tanning for youth under 18

The Canadian Cancer Society is encouraging the Capital Region District to support a proposal at their regular meeting tomorrow to ban indoor tanning for youth under 18. If approved, the CRD will become the first BC jurisdiction to take this step.

8 Dec 2010

Ultraviolet light activates enzyme that helps skin cancer cells survive, proliferate: Researchers

The sun's ultraviolet light activates an enzyme that helps skin cancer cells survive and proliferate, researchers report.

8 Dec 2010

$Interim results from Phase 1 study of ENMD-2076 in refractory MM patients presented at ASH 2010$

Interim results from Phase 1 study of ENMD-2076 in refractory MM patients presented at ASH 2010

EntreMed, Inc., today announced the presentation of data for its Phase 2 oncology drug candidate, ENMD-2076 an Aurora A/angiogenic kinase inhibitor. Data from the Phase 1 studies with ENMD-2076 in patients with multiple myeloma and relapsed or refractory leukemia were presented by EntreMed investigators during poster sessions at the 2010 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting being held December 4-7 in Orlando, Florida.

7 Dec 2010

Alexion Pharmaceuticals reports interim results from phase 1 trial on samalizumab antibody

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN) today announced the presentation of interim results from the first Phase I/II trial of samalizumab, the company's investigational, first-in-class humanized monoclonal antibody.

6 Dec 2010

Arthritis drug reduces incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers

A widely-used arthritis drug reduces the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers - the most common cancers in humans - according to a study published this week in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (brand name Celebrex), which is currently approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute pain in adults led to a 62 percent reduction in non-melanoma skin cancers, which includes basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

3 Dec 2010

Pfizer to present data on hematology portfolio at ASH Annual Meeting

Pfizer said today that new data on investigational compounds in its hematology portfolio will be presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in Orlando, December 4-7.

1 Dec 2010

Physician-scientists enroll patients with NSCLC cancer in MAGE-A3 Phase III trial

An experimental immunotherapy may someday become the newest weapon against lung cancer. Physician-scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University Medical Center are enrolling patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital as part of an ongoing Phase III trial.

1 Dec 2010