Skin Cancer News and Research

Latest Skin Cancer News and Research

Scientists identify molecular switch that controls ATF2's dual functions

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that as many as one in 51 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma-the deadliest form of skin cancer-at some point during their lifetimes. A research team led by Ze'ev Ronai, Ph.D. at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) is working to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of this disease in hopes of improving prevention and treatment strategies

3 Feb 2012

Genentech receives FDA approval for Vismodegib to treat skin cancer

A new skin cancer drug tested for the first time in the world five years ago at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare just received expedited approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a remarkable accomplishment in new drug development.

2 Feb 2012

Roche’s skin cancer drug Erivedge gets FDA nod

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) this Monday approved a pill that treats the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.

31 Jan 2012

Tailored approach may help prevent heavy drinking in college students

The first few weeks of college are a critical time in shaping students' drinking habits. Now Penn State researchers have a tailored approach that may help prevent students from becoming heavy drinkers.

31 Jan 2012

FDA approves Genentech's Erivedge for treatment of BCC

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced that Erivedge (vismodegib) capsule was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults with a type of skin cancer, called basal cell carcinoma (BCC), that has spread to other parts of the body or that has come back after surgery or that their healthcare provider decides cannot be treated with surgery or radiation.

31 Jan 2012

Genentech receives FDA approval for Erivedge to treat basal cell carcinoma

Today, Erivedge (vismodegib) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adult patients with basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. The drug is intended for use in patients with locally advanced basal cell cancer who are not candidates for surgery or radiation and for patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

31 Jan 2012

Washington State Medical Association weighs in on legislation in Olympia

More than 140 physicians met with legislators to voice their opinions on several bills that could significantly impact patient access to care and patient safety. The Washington State Medical Association (WSMA), which held its annual Legislative Day this week, is working hard on legislation to preserve programs that are on the cutting block, and promote legislation that would benefit patients.

30 Jan 2012

Non-smoking, non-drinking transplant patients more likely to develop head and neck cancer

Transplant patients who develop head and neck cancer are more likely to be non-smokers and non-drinkers, and less likely than their non-transplant counterparts to survive past one year of diagnosis, according to a new study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

30 Jan 2012

LEO Pharma receives FDA approval for Picato topical gel to treat AK

LEO Pharma announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Picato (ingenol mebutate) gel (0.015%, 0.05%) for the topical treatment of actinic keratosis.

27 Jan 2012

Preoperative MRI may help manage neurovascular bundles during RALP

Preoperative MRI helps surgeons make more informed decisions about nerve-sparing procedures in men with prostate cancer, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.

25 Jan 2012

Only 25% kids getting adequate sun protection: Study

The slogan meant to increase sun protection use – “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap” may be losing its touch – especially in kids. Despite numerous efforts to encourage people to wear sunscreen, a new study shows only 1 in 4 children regularly use sunscreen. Researchers say more than half of the children in the study also reported having a sunburn in the previous summer.

24 Jan 2012

Younger women with breast cancer experience a decrease in health-related QOL

Younger women with breast cancer experience a decrease in their health-related quality of life (QOL), associated with increased psychological distress, weight gain, a decline in their physical activity, infertility and early onset menopause, according to a study published January 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

21 Jan 2012

Family, friends encourage young people to use sunbeds

As the post-Christmas January blues take hold, young people are risking damage to their health and appearance by using sunbeds on the recommendation of friends and family, according to a new survey by Cancer Research UK.

20 Jan 2012

Scientists decode unknown mechanism of imiquimod in tumour defense

A research team from the Institute for Cancer Research at the MedUni Vienna has decoded a previously unknown mechanism of the active ingredient imiquimod in tumour defense. They have been able to prove that imiquimod transforms plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) into "tumour-killers" which can fight the tumour independently from other immune cells. This discovery could be an important step on the way to a more efficient treatment for cancer.

20 Jan 2012

Melanoma drug makes pre-existing cells with RAS mutation grow into skin squamous cell cancers

Patients with metastatic melanoma taking the recently approved drug vemurafenib (Zelboraf) responded well to the twice daily pill, but some of them developed a different, secondary skin cancer.

18 Jan 2012

Telormedix raises 7.5 million CHF

Telormedix, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on TLR7 agonists in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, today announced that it has raised 7.5 Million CHF from existing investors Aravis Venture and Proquest Investments.

10 Jan 2012

Cannabis Science extracts benefit squamous cell carcinoma cancer and skin cancer patients

We stumbled upon this news a couple weeks back regarding Cannabis Science, Inc. reported the continuing successful progress by two patients who have been topically self-administering Cannabis Science extracts for Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cancer and Skin Cancer.

7 Jan 2012

PCI Biotech focuses on localised cancer therapy with minimum side effects

Side effects are currently the biggest problem with any cancer treatment. A Norwegian biotech company is drawing closer to the goal of creating a treatment which kills only cancer cells, leaving other cells unaffected.

7 Jan 2012

Photoacoustic device can detect melanoma cancer at cellular level

Early detection of melanoma, the most aggressive skin cancer, is critical because melanoma will spread rapidly throughout the body. Now, University of Missouri researchers are one step closer to melanoma cancer detection at the cellular level, long before tumors have a chance to form. Commercial production of a device that measures melanoma using photoacoustics, or laser-induced ultrasound, will soon be available to scientists and academia for cancer studies.

6 Jan 2012

Article focuses on new optical tools that use laser beams to peer painlessly below the skin

A hand-held scanner, reminiscent of the fictional Star Trek medical Tricorder, images blood vessels through the skin and projects a map onto the skin showing nurses exactly where to insert a needle.

5 Jan 2012