Category Archives: Skin Cancer Medications

Yervoy for Melanoma Treatment Reviewed by Leading Dermatologists

Posted on April 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

Yervoy (ipilumamab), a new medication for the treatment of melanoma, is reviewed by leading dermatologists Dr. Ramzi Saad and Dr. Richard Eisen.

“The breakthrough cancer medication from Bristol-Myers Squibb is Yervoy and it is specifically for patients with late-stage or metastatic melanoma. This is an exciting new weapon in the fight against skin cancer. We have two drugs out there that are used in the treatment of stage 3 and stage 4 melanoma – Interferon (which was approved a decade ago) and Dacarbazine. Yervoy is the first medication shown to prolong survival,” explained Dr. Saad.

Dr. Saad added that “ Yervoy is going to be a promising option for many. It prolongs life by six and a half months or more. The big issue is the significant side effect profile. But, Yervoy will undergo further rigorous testing to define it’s optimal use on melanoma patients.”

“Skin cancer is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun or from tanning booths. UVA and UVB rays are present in tanning booths as well as on cloudy days and exposed skin is left vulnerable without sunblock or sunscreen. We’re all exposed to these rays every day, each time we go outdoors and the repeated exposure builds over time,” noted Dr. Richard Eisen, M.D.

According to South Shore Skin Center’s dermatologists, early skin cancer detection is imperative in the prevention and treatment of melanoma. If undetected and untreated, melanoma can quickly spread to the major organs and lymph nodes.

The dermatologists emphasize the need to follow key steps to prevent skin cancer including avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, wearing protective clothing, and  applying sunscreen or sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher every day even if it is cloudy.

They add that a person’s skin should be checked regularly by a dermatologist regularly, and any moles or other spots on the skin that have changed should be checked by physician as soon as possible.

Both Dr. Saad and Dr. Eisen practice provide medical care to patients at South Shore Skin Center in Cohasset, Massachusetts.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Melanoma, Skin Cancer Medications

Tagged , , ,

Skin Cancer Recurrence May Be Prevented with Combination Therapy

Posted on September 27, 2010 | Leave a comment
Skin Cancer, Melanoma

Skin Cancer, Melanoma

Combining treatments in the treatment of skin cancer may provide better outcomes than skin excision alone according to a story published in the September issue of Dermatology Times, “Skin cancer recurrence may be prevented with combo of surgery and adjuvant therapies“.

James M. Spencer, M.D., M.S., a New York City dermatologist and Associate Professor at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York spoke at the January 2010 Orlando Dermatology Aesthetic and Clinical conference where he argued that “dermatologists tend to use only one skin cancer treatment, despite the fact that there are tried-and-true adjuvant therapies and emerging medical therapies, such as imiquimod cream.”

Patients’ desire for a small scar following skin cancer excision leads Dr. Spencer to consider the use of imiquimod cream before surgery. This is not performed to cure the cancer, but rather to shrink the tumor before the procedure.

There are only a few studies looking at outcomes of skin cancer surgery with and without prior treatment with imiquimod, and results are mixed. A 2004 study by Torres A et al published in Dermatologic Surgery reported that use of 5 percent imiquimod cream prior to Mohs surgery resulted in a smaller defect than with excision only of basal cell carcinoma. A more recent 2009 study published in Dermatologic Surgery found no statistically significant benefit in using imiquimod 5 percent cream as an adjunctive treatment of nodular, nasal basal cell carcinomas before Mohs surgery. However, the authors noted that a larger study might show a benefit.

Despite this potential concern and limited data showing effectiveness, Dr. Spencer says it is reasonable to consider imiquimod cream use prior to surgery for the bigger, trickier skin cancers.

Lentigo maligna, or melanoma in situ, has a local recurrence rate of 10 percent to 20 percent. “Imiquimod has been studied as an effective monotherapy for lentigo maligna. So, in my practice, I excise lentigo maligna and follow that with topical imiquimod”, says Dr. Spencer. “Do I have proof that is helping anybody? No. But I would argue that falls into the ‘Why not?’ category.”

“The worst that could happen is nothing; the best that could happen is that your recurrence rate would go down,” said Dr. Spencer.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Skin Cancer Experts, Skin Cancer Medications

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Melanoma Treatment with Immunotherapy Shows Potential

Posted on June 1, 2010 | 3 Comments

The American Society of Clinical Oncology will hold its annual meeting in Chicago this week where it will announce results of several studies investigating the use of immunotherapies for the treatment of melanoma.

Many of the immunotherapies used in the treatment of cancer are antibodies generated in a laboratory. These “monoclonal antibodies” bind to select portions of the immune system to alter the way the immune system responds to cancer cells.

Ipilimumab is one immunotherapy developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) that has gained significant attention. Ipilimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that is undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of melanoma. Results from three small trials found that ipilimumab extended the life of stage IV melanoma patients.

(Tremelimumab another  monoclonal antibody produced by Pfizer was being investigated for the treatment of advanced melanoma, but a phase III trial was stopped in 2008 when interim data showed that results were not superior to standard chemotherapy)

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Melanoma, Skin Cancer Medications

Tagged , , , ,

Skin Cancer Expert Reviews Zyclara for Treatment of Actinic Keratoses

Posted on April 26, 2010 | 2 Comments
Zyclara for Skin Pre-Cancer with Dermatologist

Zyclara for AKs

Skin cancer expert and New York City dermatologist Dr. Darrell Rigel provides a video reviews the risks posed by actinic keratoses, pre-cancerous skin lesions, and Zyclara®, a topical medication recently approved from the treatment of actinic keratoses.

10 million Americans have actinic keratoses and approximately 10% of them will develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer. It is important to treat these precancerous lesions as early as possible for the best results.

There are a variety of treatment options for actinic keratoses. Dr. Darrel Rigel points out that Zyclara®, approved in early April, 2010 by the FDA for the treatment of AKs, provides another treatment option.

Darrell S. Rigel, M. D. is New York City dermatologist in private practice in Manhattan and a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York University Medical Center. His research is in the areas of risk factors and prognosis for malignant melanoma and other skin cancers and factors leading to aging of the skin. He is the author of numerous articles and abstracts in professional journals as well as the Editor of “Cancer of the Skin”, the major textbook in this field.

Dr. Rigel serves with many professional and charitable organizations related to his research interests. In 1999, he served as President of the American Academy of Dermatology and currently serves as the President of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Rigel has received numerous national and international awards and honors including the American Cancer Society’s National Honor Citation for Skin Cancer Programs and a Presidential Citation from the American Academy of Dermatology for public education programs in skin cancer detection. He is an honorary member of several international dermatological societies and has focussed on enhancing worldwide dermatology.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Skin Cancer Medications, Skin Cancer Prevention

Tagged , , , , ,

Zyclara® (imiquimod 3.75%) Now Available for Treatment of Actinic Keratoses

Posted on April 14, 2010 | Leave a comment

Zyclara® was approved in early April, 2010 by the FDA for the treatment of visible or palpable actinic keratoses.

Zyclara® uses a new formulation of 3.75% imiquimod that can be used daily on larger areas of skin, including the full face or a balding scalp.

Patients receive 2 weeks of daily treatment, followed by 2 weeks without treatment, and then an additional 2 weeks of daily treatment. This is referred to as a 2/2/2 treatment.

In clinical testing involving people with five to 20 actinic keratoses on the face or scalp, Zyclara reduced the total number of actinic keratoses by 82 percent. The most common side effects reported were local skin reactions with redness, scabbing or crusting, and sores or ulcers.

Actinic keratoses should be treated without delay, since they may progress to a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Skin Cancer Medications, Skin Cancer Treatment

Tagged , , , ,