SKIN MELANOMA

A new experimental drug is tested by a team of researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and it may be on the market in less than two years, helping million of people which develop annually skin melanoma from exposure to UV rays.

For many of these individuals the cancer cells can’t be stopped and so they are going to die from it. There is no cure for this type of health problem at this time and the new drug may work for approximately 50% of the patients. It has a couple of side effects like sun sensitivity, rush, joint discomfort, or fatigue, but the advantages may be more important.

This drug for advanced skin melanoma can prevent the progression of the health concern. This can offer the patient several extra months of life. Yet this is just the finding from a very early trial. Many experts involved with the drug believe that there could be even greater benefits to those with skin melanoma if the drug is offered during the early stages of it. However, the average life extension right now with it is about 2 months. Yet some people have been able to go 2 years so there is hope with it.

How does this drug work to stop the progression of melanoma? It targets the cells of tumors that may be growing. Up to 60% of patients with skin melanoma have such tumors found in their bodies. For the remaining patients though this type of drug treatment isn’t going to work for them. In fact, it would be harmful for them to take it. A genetic test has to be conducted too in order to determine if the patient is likely to react favorably to the drug.

While there is still a great deal more research that has to be conducted about this drug, it does give some hope to those with skin melanoma that is in the advanced stages. The medication has to be taken twice a day in pill form and the goal is to try to work on this product so that the side effects decrease and the benefits increase.

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