Two New Melanoma Drugs Show Boost in Survival Rate

Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is on the rise, with an estimated 8,700 melanoma deaths in the United States last year. Here is a good news for people suffering from melanoma. Two novel drugs ‘Vemurafenib’ and ‘Ipilimumab’ show promise for people with advanced melanoma, which may prolong their survival.

One study presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference stated that patients treated with the drug Vemurafenib had a 63% reduced risk of death compared with those on chemotherapy. This drug specifically targets the mutated gene and helps in the shrinking of cancer cells. Within 72 hours of intake of Vemurafenib, patients found the drug to work.

In another study, the drug Ipilimumab has been shown to increase the survival rate in late-stage melanoma patients. This drug works by stimulating the patient’s immune system, which helps to fight against the cancer.

Both the drugs, ‘Vemurafenib’ and ‘Ipilimumab’, shrink the tumors, and thus found to increase the survival rate of melanoma patients. Doctors have further plans to explore the best use of these drugs. It is important to note that limiting exposure to strong sunlight and UV light can reduce the risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

June 07, 2011