UPCI Melanoma Researchers Present Findings at Annual Meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology
CHICAGO, June 5 – Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) Melanoma Program, led by John M. Kirkwood, M.D., will present findings from seven studies at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, June 4 to 8, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Highlights of their findings include:
Phase II Trial of Tremelimunab Combined with High-Dose Interferon alpha-2b for Metastatic Melanomas
Sponsored by UPCI
Previous research has demonstrated clinical anti-tumor benefit with the drug tremelimunab as a single agent, as well as with high-dose interferon, although the benefit of each treatment was less than desired in patients with advanced melanoma. This trial for the first time combined the two treatments to determine whether the combination might improve clinical benefits for patients. According to the results, the combination can be administered safely and shows greater effectiveness than has been observed with either agent alone. The observation that the clinical benefit of this combination was associated with the induction of immunological reactions (autoimmunity) and with biomarkers such as CRP in the blood now offers the opportunity to develop new, more efficient trials aimed at patients most likely to respond to this treatment. Abstract 8524
Melanoma is a rare form of skin cancer, but it causes the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Each year, approximately 160,000 new cases are diagnosed worldwide. Surgery is effective and curative at early stages, but not at later stages, which result in 8,800 deaths a year in the U.S.
# # #
About University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI)
As the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in western Pennsylvania, UPCI is a recognized leader in providing innovative cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment; bio-medical research; compassionate patient care and support; and community-based outreach services. UPCI investigators are world-renowned for their work in clinical and basic cancer research.
http://www.upmc.com/mediarelations
CONTACT: Courtney McCrimmon, McCrimmonCP@upmc.edu
PHONE: (412) 715-8894
CONTACT: Wendy Zellner, ZellnerWL@upmc.edu
PHONE: (412) 586-9777
Tags: