Addressing Questions & Unmet Needs in Melanoma Research and Treatment

Presented by

Marc Hurlbert; Tom Williams

About this talk

The landscape for melanoma research and treatment has rapidly changed over the last decade. Since 2011, the FDA has approved 12 new melanoma treatment regimens – including new classes of drugs that are molecularly targeted therapies (BRAF/MEK inhibitors), immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1) and other immunotherapies (e.g. T-Vec). Scientists have also unraveled many of the genomic mutations found in the most common form, cutaneous melanoma, melanoma that arises primarily on sun-exposed areas of the skin. With these advances in research and treatment, the key unanswered questions have changed rapidly and existing preclinical models may not be sufficient to answer such questions surrounding immune checkpoint inhibition; resistance development, comparing to cuaneous melanoma, and how to improve early detection. Importantly, there are no models that accurately predict the patient journey. New models and additional research is needed to more fully represent all melanoma subtypes, stages, or treatment responses. About the speakers: Marc Hurlbert, Ph.D. Chief Science Officer, Melanoma Research Alliance. Marc is currently responsible for guiding MRA’s scientific strategy, overseeing the peer-reviewed grant-making program, and forging scientific collaborations. He has more than 18 years of nonprofit and grant-making experience focused on advancing medical research. Past work has included treatment and prevention strategies for breast cancer, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, as well as juvenile diabetes. Tom Williams, PhD, Life Sciences Professional Services Project Manager, Elsevier. Tom is a Life Sciences Knowledge Manager and Research Scientist. with extensive experience as an academic researcher in neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. He is also in skilled biophysical chemistry, dementia disorders, and biochemistry; and the author of many publications in the field of Alzheimer’s disease.
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