Researchers at Yale Cancer Center have discovered a gene that has a dramatic impact on the growth of melanoma. Their observations, titled ”DNMT3b Modulates Melanoma Growth by Controlling Levels of mTORC2 Component RICTOR,” were published in the journal Cell Reports. The study sheds light on how melanoma develops and describes a new target to possibly treat this type of cancer.
MRV Research
New biomarker identifies uveal melanoma patients at high risk for metastasis
A study by J. William Harbour, M.D., associate director for Basic Research and leader of the Eye Cancer Site Disease Group at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and colleagues published today in Clinical Cancer Research details the discovery of a biomarker that puts patients at a higher risk for metastasis of uveal melanoma. Among uveal melanomas categorized as class 1, those with high levels of the biomarker PRAME mRNA were more likely to metastasize than those with low levels of PRAME mRNA, indicating that patients with this biomarker be monitored more closely for metastatic disease.
Immunotherapy, TriMixDC Combo Yielded Durable Melanoma Responses
The combination of TriMixDC-MEL and the CTLA-4 inhibitor ipilimumab produced durable tumor responses in patients with pretreated advanced melanoma, according to a phase II study of the combination.
Researchers Identify Drug That Could Treat Melanoma
Less than a year after mapping the genetic landscape of melanoma, a researcher from the University of California, Merced, has identified a drug that could be effective in battling the deadly skin cancer.
UC Merced Professor Fabian V. Filipp led a team of researchers on the new project, the results of which were published today (Feb. 29) in the journal Neoplasia.