Skin cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the outer layers of skin. The most common types are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, while the most dangerous is malignant melanoma.
Skin cancer drug hopes raised by study — Advanced melanoma drug nearly doubles survival time – Investigators from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) and 12 other centers in the United States and Australia have found that a new drug for patients with metastatic melanoma nearly doubled median overall survival.
FDA approves new treatment for most common type of skin cancer – Erivedge or 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 Erivedge 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 (metastatic).
Tanning bed ban for minors under 18 in California US – Teens and owners object to tanning-bed ban – California toughens teen tanning laws – California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., signed groundbreaking legislation today that will prohibit the use of commercial indoor tanning devices for those under the age of 18. California is the first state to ban minors from using commercial tanning booths.
FDA approves Zelboraf and companion diagnostic test for late-stage skin cancer — Second melanoma drug approved this year that improves overall survival – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Zelboraf (vemurafenib), a drug to treat patients with late-stage (metastatic) or unresectable (cannot be removed by surgery) melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
Pitt cancer researchers find key oncoprotein in Merkel cell carcinoma – Knocking out a viral protein called “small tumor protein,” or sT, stopped the cancer cells from replicating, revealed by researchers in a recent study.
Protective Effect of Structurally Diverse Grape Procyanidin Fractions against UV-Induced Cell Damage – UV radiation leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These molecules exert a variety of harmful effects by altering key cellular functions and may result in cell death. Several studies have demonstrated that human skin can be protected against UV radiation by using plant-derived antioxidants.
FDA Announces Changes to Better Inform Consumers About Sunscreen — New Rules Give Consumers More Information to Help Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer, Early Aging – Sunscreen products meeting modern standards for effectiveness may be labeled with new information to help consumers find products that, when used with other sun protection measures, reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, as well as help prevent sunburn. The final regulation allows sunscreen products that pass the FDA’s test for protection against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to be labeled as “Broad Spectrum.”
New survey finds teen girls and young women need a lesson on dangers of indoor tanning – Despite repeated warnings from dermatologists on the health dangers of tanning, results of a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) confirmed that a large percentage of Caucasian teen girls and young women admitted using tanning beds or intentionally tanning outdoors in the past year.
New technique extends cancer-fighting cells’ potency in melanoma patients – Researchers trained white blood cells to attack tumors tend to fade away quickly when injected into cancer patients.
Plexxikon Reports Overall Survival Benefit for Melanoma Patients in PLX4032 Phase 3 Trial – Plexxikon Inc. announced positive data from an interim analysis of the BRIM3 trial, a large multi-center Phase 3 clinical study of PLX4032 (RG7204) in patients with previously untreated metastatic melanoma with the BRAF mutation.
