According to this recent study, whole-body MRI for the surveillance of melanoma patients is a safe and sensitive technique sparing patients′ cumulative exposure to X-rays and contrast media.
Recently, oncology researchers directed their attention at the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in different types of cancers, including melanoma. The authors of this work reviewed all the literature available for lncRNA in melanoma, elucidating all the potential roles in this tumor.
According to this recent study, personal neoantigen peptide vaccines induce T cell responses that persist over years and broaden the spectrum of tumor-specific cytotoxicity in patients with melanoma.
This assessment by the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides the latest scientific update since their most recent comprehensive assessment (Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2019, 18, 595–828). Among others, they address how global environmental changes affect human health.
According to this recent study, a homogeneous phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)-containing topical gel can be prepared and used to kill squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells, and may be useful for treating SCC in the clinic.
This recent review proposes guidelines for initial radiological staging and the follow-up imaging regime for melanoma, in order to provide consistency in the access and delivery of quality melanoma care. The proposed guidelines are considered the standard of care, but regional practice may differ based on access to imaging technology, cost limitations and the clinical experience of healthcare professionals.
This recent case series investigated factors influencing the risk of an incomplete primary excision in patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It concludes that most BCCs, irrespective of subtype, were completely excised during the primary excision. The rate of incomplete excisions was higher for facial tumours, especially for infiltrative or morpheiform BCCs. Surgery with perioperative examination of margins is strongly recommended for these tumours.
The Cancer Research Trust New Zealand (CRTNZ) is calling for expressions of interest for the role of General Manager to replace Dr Douglas Ormrod who is retiring. This is a home-based flexible hours position - currently Auckland-based, but could be elsewhere in New Zealand.
According to this recent study, disease risk scores could be used in early detection programs for identifying high risk asymptotic individuals, and predicting when they are likely to develop skin cancer.
This recent study serves as a comprehensive analysis of baseline variables that predict the benefit of pembrolizumab monotherapy. It concludes that multiple baseline variables correlate with survival on pembrolizumab. Total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) is a more comprehensive baseline biomarker than C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), or absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) in predicting the futility of pembrolizumab.