Melanoma: Multimedia

Researchers Caution Against Combining Two Drugs for Treating Metastatic Melanoma

Researchers have found that combining ipilimumab (Yervoy^TM) and vemurafenib (Zelboraf^®) can cause side effects for patients with metastatic melanoma.

Runtime: 02:00 minutes Published: 04/03/2013 - 2:40 PM

Advances in Skin Cancer Treatment

Medical experts from Memorial Sloan-Kettering discuss new strategies for preventing, diagnosing, and treating skin cancer.

Runtime: 84:00 minutes Published: 05/08/2012 - 3:56 PM

Advances in the Treatment of Melanoma

Medical oncologists Paul Chapman and Jedd Wolchok describe two studies of promising new therapies for advanced melanoma.

Runtime: 5:00 minutes Published: 06/01/2011 - 12:00 AM

Skin Cancer: Latest Developments in Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment

A study has shown that a new drug for melanoma decreased the risk of death by 63 percent for people with advanced disease. The drug, an oral medical called vemurafenib, works by targeting and silencing a particular gene mutation associated with melanoma. Another study revealed that the FDA-approved ipilimumab (Yervoy™) bolsters the body’s immune system in fighting advanced melanoma. This therapy could extend life when combined with traditional chemotherapy.

Published: 04/14/2009 - 12:00 AM

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

drug (drug)

Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

gene (jeen)

The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immune system (ih-MYOON SIS-tem)

The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

ipilimumab (ih-pih-LIH-myoo-mab)

A drug used to treat melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body or that cannot be removed by surgery. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Ipilimumab binds to a substance called CTLA-4, which is found on the surface of T cells (a type of white blood cell). Ipilimumab may block CTLA-4 and help the immune system kill cancer cells. It is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called MDX-010 and Yervoy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

melanoma (MEH-luh-NOH-muh)

A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

metastatic (meh-tuh-STA-tik)

Having to do with metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from the primary site (place where it started) to other places in the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

mutation (myoo-TAY-shun)

Any change in the DNA of a cell. Mutations may be caused by mistakes during cell division, or they may be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment. Mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect. If they occur in cells that make eggs or sperm, they can be inherited; if mutations occur in other types of cells, they are not inherited. Certain mutations may lead to cancer or other diseases.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oral (OR-ul)

By or having to do with the mouth.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

vemurafenib (VEH-myoo-RA-feh-nib)

A drug used to treat advanced melanoma that has a mutated (changed) form of a cell protein called BRAF. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Vemurafenib blocks this mutated protein, which may stop the growth of cancer cells. It is a type of kinase inhibitor and a type of targeted therapy agent. Also called BRAF (V600E) kinase inhibitor RO5185426, PLX4032, RG7204, and Zelboraf.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)