In studies at Royal Marsden Hospital in London, patients with melanoma were given drugs that attack genetic mutations in skin cancer. The drug proved successful with the patients who had "advanced malignant melanoma." This is very good news since melanoma continues to have steadily rising rates. During the study the drug was able to shrink melanoma tumors in 70% of the cases in the trial. If the drug is passed on to be approved by other cancer specialists, there is a chance that it could soon begin being used outside of trials.
It would be very good if this drug could get approved by other cancer specialists quickly so that it can be used among the public. Since melanoma is such a serious diagnosis, having a treatment that actually decreases the size of the tumors could lead to very good outcomes for those who suffer from this form of cancer. It would be even better if similar treatments could be created for cancers that extend outside of just skin cancers.
Source: BBC News - "Pill slows spread of skin cancer in half of cases"
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