Eight recent developments involving melanoma

Source: Healio.com/dermatology, February 2015

Recently published studies involving melanoma included research showing that children of melanoma survivors do not adhere to optimal sun protection, and that changes in nevi were poor predictors of melanoma in children.

Other recent developments presented in Healio Dermatology included the FDA approval of Opdivo, the seventh melanoma drug approved by the agency since 2011:

1. FDA approves Opdivo for treatment of advanced melanoma

The FDA granted accelerated approval to Opdivo as treatment for patients with unresectable and metastatic melanoma who no longer respond to other drugs.

Opdivo (nivolumab, Bristol-Myers Squibb) inhibits the PD-1 protein on cells, which blocks the body’s immune system for attacking melanoma tumors.

2. Children of melanoma survivors shown to not adhere to optimal sun protection

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, reported recently that children of melanoma survivors are not adhering to optimal sun protection recommendations, with more than 40% experiencing sunburn in the past year

Beth Glenn, PhD, and colleagues identified and surveyed 300 Latino and non-Latino white melanoma survivors with children 17 years old and younger during a 3-year period.

3. Changes in nevi were poor predictors of melanoma in children

Monitoring changes in nevi may not be a useful approach to melanoma detection in children and may lead to unnecessary biopsies in this population, according to study findings.

In the study, researchers utilized data from the Pinkus Dermatopathology Laboratory database and the HealthCore Integrated Research Database to estimate the number of nevus biopsies in patients 19 years or younger in the U.S. between 2009 and 2013.

4. VE1 immunohistochemical analysis effectively detects BRAF V600E mutations

VE1 immunohistochemical analysis to detect BRAF V600E mutations in primary and metastatic cutaneous malignant melanomas was found to be useful and more efficient than DNA-based methods, according to published study results. Read more

5. Higher coffee consumption shows ties to decreased melanoma risk

People who consumed at least four cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a lower risk of malignant melanoma, according to published study results.

Erikka Loftfield, MPH, and colleagues conducted a National Institutes for Health-American Association of Retired Persons prospective study by assessing coffee intake in a self-administered, 124-item food frequency questionnaire. Read more

6. Lion Biotechnologies files IND application for metastatic melanoma study

Lion Biotechnologies announced the filing of an investigational new drug application with the FDA to conduct a phase 2 clinical trial of LN-144 for the treatment of patients with refractory metastatic melanoma.

LN-144, the company’s lead product candidate, is a ready-to-infuse autologous T-cell therapy utilizing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) derived from the patient’s own tumor. Read more

7. Novogen announces positive preclinical results for melanoma treatment

Novogen Limited announced that TRXE-009, which was originally developed for treating brain cancers, was also found to be highly active against melanoma in preclinical studies.

TRXE-009 comprises the super-benzopyrans and anti-tropomyosins drug technology compounds. Read more

8. Cipher Pharmaceuticals acquires Melanovus Oncology’s assets

Cipher Pharmaceuticals announced its acquisition of the assets of Melanovus Oncology, including seven preclinical compounds for treating melanoma and other cancers.

The compounds are based on work done by Gavin Robertson, PhD, professor of pharmacology, pathology, dermatology and surgery at Penn State University and director of the Penn State Hershey Melanoma Center, and his team during more than a decade. Read more