ScienceDaily: Skin Cancer News

Skin cancer may be linked to lower risk of Alzheimer's disease

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:39:39 EDT

People who have skin cancer may be less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to new research. The link does not apply to melanoma, a less common but more aggressive type of skin cancer.

New class of drug targets skin cancer

Tue, 07 May 2013 09:58:58 EDT

A new class of drug targeting skin cancer's genetic material has been successfully tested in humans for the first time, opening the way to new treatments for a range of conditions from skin cancers to eye diseases.

Novel mechanism by which UVA contributes to photoaging of skin

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:26:26 EDT

A study provides new evidence that longwave ultraviolet light induces a protein that could result in premature skin aging. The findings demonstrate that aspects of photoaging, the process of skin aging by chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation, could be linked to genetic factors that accelerate the aging process when induced by the environment.

Reviving a foe of cancer

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:23:23 EDT

Cancer cells are a problem for the body because they multiply recklessly, refuse to die and blithely metastasize to set up shop in places where they don’t belong. One protein that keeps healthy cells from behaving this way is a tumor suppressor named p53. This protein stops potentially precancerous cells from dividing and induces suicide in those that are damaged beyond repair. Not surprisingly, p53’s critical function is disrupted in most cancers.

Researchers observe an increased risk of cancer in people with history of non-melanoma skin cancer

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:27:27 EDT

Researchers found that people with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer had a modestly increased risk of getting cancer in the future, specifically breast and lung cancer in women and melanoma in both men and women.

Virus kills melanoma in animal model, spares normal cells

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:57:57 EDT

Researchers have demonstrated that vesicular stomatitis virus is highly competent at finding, infecting, and killing human melanoma cells, both in vitro and in animal models, while having little propensity to infect non-cancerous cells.

CT and serum LDH shows promise as survival predictor for some metastatic melanoma patients

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:21:21 EDT

Combining CT imaging findings with baseline serum lactate dehydrogenase levels is showing promise as a way to predict survival in patients with metastatic melanoma being treated with anti-angiogenic therapy.

Cancer metastasis: When a KISS (1) goes bad

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:28:28 EDT

KISS 1 is a metastasis-suppressor gene which helps to prevent the spread of cancers, including melanoma, pancreatic and ovarian cancers to name a few. But new research shows that kisspeptins -- peptide products of KISS1, actually make some breast cancers worse, with a higher tumor grade and metastatic potential.

Transcription factors regulating blood oxygen linked to melanoma metastases

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:21:21 EDT

Researchers have discovered that transcription factors regulating the levels of oxygen in the blood also play a role in the spread of the skin cancer melanoma.

Lower education linked to premature death from malignant melanoma

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:51:51 EDT

There are socioeconomic differences in Sweden in survival amongst people with malignant skin melanoma, according to a new study. Melanoma patients with a lower educational background are much more likely to die of the disease.

Naturally-occurring substance proves effective against deadly skin cancer in test tube and mice studies

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:46:46 EDT

For the first time, scientists have demonstrated the mechanism of action of gossypin, a naturally-occurring substance found in fruits and vegetables, as a treatment for melanoma, which causes the majority of deaths from skin cancer.

Rising melanoma rates among adolescents, children are subject of new study

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:27:27 EDT

A new study looks at the increase of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, in children and adolescents and what those trends might be telling us.

Some melanoma survivors still use tanning beds, skip sunscreen

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:30:30 EDT

Although most survivors of melanoma take precautions to protect their skin from the sun and further occurrences of cancer, new data has revealed that more than a quarter do not use sunscreen when outside for more than an hour, and more than 2 percent still use tanning beds.

Intermittent treatment with vemurafenib may prevent lethal drug resistance in melanoma

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 18:35:35 EDT

Vemurafenib-resistant tumors in patients with melanoma showed reduced growth after cessation of treatment, and in animal models, drug resistance was prevented by intermittent treatment, according to new data.

Shutting down DNA construction: How senescence halts growth of potential cancers

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:21:21 EDT

How does oncogene-induced senescence work? Imagine the cell as a construction site where work continues as long as bricks (nucleotides) are available. When an oncogene is damaged, it is like hiring excess workers and cancelling orders for bricks. When brick supplies run out, construction ends and the cell becomes senescent.

New Jersey prohibits indoor tanning for minors under 17

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:43:43 EDT

New Jersey sent a strong message to young people that indoor tanning salons can be dangerous to their health. New Jersey has passed a law that bans minors under the age of 17 years old from using indoor tanning devices. The law is based on significant scientific evidence that links indoor tanning to increased risk of developing melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

Immune-cell therapy could strengthen promising melanoma treatment

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:43:43 EDT

Scientists have used newly developed nanotechnology chips (multidimensional and multiplexed immune monitoring assays) to successfully monitor T cells genetically engineered to attack melanoma. They have discovered that the T cells change over time when returned to patients. These results will help improve engineered immunotherapy for melanoma and the assays will help understand a spectrum of other cellular immunotherapies in the future.

Aspirin may lower melanoma risk

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:15:15 EDT

A new study has found that women who take aspirin have a reduced risk of developing melanoma -- and that the longer they take it, the lower the risk. The findings suggest that aspirin's anti-inflammatory effects may help protect against this type of skin cancer.

BRAF inhibitor treatment causes melanoma cells to shift how they produce energy

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:34:34 EST

BRAF-positive metastatic malignant melanomas develop resistance to treatment with drugs targeting the BRAF/MEK growth pathway through a major change in metabolism, new research shows. The findings suggest a strategy to improve the effectiveness of currently available targeted therapies.

Protein lost in tumors blocks normal cells from being reprogrammed into stem cells

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:48:48 EST

Researchers have discovered that a particular protein prevents normal cells from being reprogrammed into cells that resemble stem cells, providing new insight into how they may lose their plasticity during normal development.

Hope for stopping melanoma from spreading

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:04:04 EST

Inhibition of the protein known as adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) reduces the spread of melanoma to the lungs in mice, according to a new study.

First evidence that obesity gene is risk factor for melanoma

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:55:55 EST

The gene most strongly linked to obesity and over eating may also increase the risk of malignant melanoma -- the most deadly skin cancer, according to scientists.

Cancer vaccines self-sabotage, channel immune attack to injection site

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 15:48:48 EST

Cancer vaccines that attempt to stimulate an immune system assault fail because the killer T cells aimed at tumors instead find the vaccination site a more inviting target, scientists report.

Tumors deliberately create conditions that inhibit body's best immune response

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:29:29 EST

New research reveals that tumors in melanoma patients deliberately create conditions that knock out the body's 'premier' immune defense and instead attract a weaker immune response unable to kill off the tumor's cancerous cells.

New cancer 'vaccine' shows future promise in treating and preventing metastatic cancers

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:31:31 EST

Preclinical, laboratory studies suggest a novel immunotherapy could potentially work like a vaccine against metastatic cancers, according to scientists. Results from a recent study show the therapy could treat metastatic cancers and be used in combination with current cancer therapies.

Protein that may control the spread of cancer discovered

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:21:21 EST

Researchers have uncovered a novel mechanism that may lead to more selective ways to stop cancer cells from spreading. Cancer biologists have identified the role of the protein RSK2 in cancer cell migration, part of the process of cancer metastasis.

Taking omega-3 supplements may help prevent skin cancer, new study finds

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:20:20 EST

Taking omega-3 fish oils could help to protect against skin cancer, according to new research. Scientists just carried out the first clinical trial to examine the impact of the fish oils on the skin immunity of volunteers.

'NanoVelcro' device to grab single cancer cells from blood: Improvement enables 'liquid biopsies' for metastatic melanoma

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:22:22 EST

Researchers have refined a method they previously developed for capturing and analyzing cancer cells that break away from patients' tumors and circulate in the blood. With the improvements to their device, which uses a Velcro-like nanoscale technology, they can now detect and isolate single cancer cells from patient blood samples for analysis.

Gene linked to worse outcomes for melanoma

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:24:24 EST

Scientists have identified a gene present in some melanoma which appears to make the tumor cells more resistant to treatment.

Nanosensors support skin cancer therapy

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:54:54 EST

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. In more than 50 percent of affected patients a particular mutation plays an important role. As the life span of the patients carrying the mutation can be significantly extended by novel drugs, it is very important to identify those reliably. For identification, researchers in Switzerland have developed a novel method.

Enzyme behind breast cancer mutations identified

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:11:11 EST

Researchers have uncovered a human enzyme responsible for causing DNA mutations found in the majority of breast cancers. The discovery of this enzyme -- called APOBEC3B -- may change the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated.

MicroRNA molecule may serve as biomarker, target for brain metastases in breast cancer patients

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:16:16 EST

Researchers have identified two molecules that could potentially serve as biomarkers in predicting brain metastases in patients with breast cancer.

Can cancer be turned against itself?

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 11:42:42 EST

Medical researchers have found that a family of proteins associated with melanoma can alert the human immune system to the presence of cancer cells. This may lead to a new therapy to augment the anti-cancer immune response, he says, essentially turning cancer against itself.

Silibinin, found in milk thistle, protects against UV-induced skin cancer

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:36:36 EST

Milk thistle extract, silibinin, kills skin cells mutated by UVA radiation and protects against damage by UVB radiation -- thus protecting against UV-induced skin cancer and photo-aging, according to new research.

Two-fold higher incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers for HIV patients

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:15:15 EST

HIV-positive patients have a higher incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers, according to a new study. Specifically, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas occur more than twice as often among HIV-positive individuals compared to those who are HIV-negative.

Gene mutation immortalizes malignant melanoma

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:42:42 EST

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown genetic cause of malignant melanoma: A gene mutation that leads to overactive telomerase, the so-called 'immortality enzyme.'

New mutations discovered driving malignant melanoma

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:08:08 EST

Two new mutations that collectively occur in 71 percent of malignant melanoma tumors have been discovered in what scientists call the "dark matter" of the cancer genome, where cancer-related mutations haven't been previously found.

Gene in eye melanomas linked to good prognosis

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:35:35 EST

Melanomas that develop in the eye often are fatal. Now, scientists report they have identified a mutated gene in melanoma tumors of the eye that appears to predict a good outcome.

Drug-resistant melanoma tumors shrink when therapy is interrupted

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:14:14 EST

Researchers have discovered that melanomas that develop resistance to the anti-cancer drug vemurafenib (marketed as Zelboraf), also develop addiction to the drug, an observation that may have important implications for the lives of patients with late-stage disease. Surprisingly, intermittent dosing with vemurafenib prolonged the lives of mice with drug-resistant melanoma tumors, researchers said.

Concerns raised over the effectiveness of a costly and invasive procedure for melanoma

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:16:16 EST

A special report finds that thousands of melanoma patients around the world are undergoing an expensive and invasive procedure called sentinel node biopsy, despite a lack of clear evidence and concerns that it may do more harm than good.

HPV-associated cancer incidence rates point to needed efforts to increase HPV vaccination coverage

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:21:21 EST

Despite the decline in cancer death rates in the US, there is an increase in incidence rates for cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and more efforts are needed to increase HPV vaccination coverage levels to prevent the occurrence of these cancers in the future according to a study published Jan. 7 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

U.S. cancer death rates continue to drop, report shows

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:13:13 EST

The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975–2009, shows that overall cancer death rates continued to decline in the United States among both men and women, among all major racial and ethnic groups, and for all of the most common cancer sites, including lung, colon and rectum, female breast, and prostate. However, the report also shows that death rates continued to increase during the latest time period (2000 through 2009) for melanoma of the skin (among men only) and for cancers of the liver, pancreas, and uterus. The special feature section on human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers shows that incidence rates are increasing for HPV-associated oropharyngeal and anal cancers and that vaccination coverage levels in the U.S. during 2008 and 2010 remained low among adolescent girls.

How deadly skin cancer spreads into other parts of the body

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:12:12 EST

After recently announcing success in eliminating melanoma metastasis in laboratory experiments, scientists have made another important discovery in understanding the process by which the gene mda-9/syntenin contributes to metastasis in melanoma (the spread of skin cancer) and possibly a variety of other cancers.

Stem cell technology could help harness patients' own immune cells to fight disease

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:11:11 EST

Researchers reporting in two separate recent articles used stem cell technology to successfully regenerate patients' immune cells, creating large numbers that were long-lived and could recognize their specified targets: HIV-infected cells in one case and cancer cells in the other. The findings could help in the development of strategies to rejuvenate patients' exhausted immune responses.

Cancer-specific killer T cells created from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:09:09 EST

Researchers in Japan report today that they have succeeded for the first time in creating cancer-specific immune system cells called killer T lymphocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). To create these killer cells, the team first had to reprogram T lymphocytes specialized in killing a certain type of cancer, into iPS cells. The iPS cells then generated fully active, cancer-specific T lymphocytes. These lymphocytes regenerated from iPS cells could potentially serve as cancer therapy in the future.

Cancer diagnosis later in life poses significant risk to offspring, study suggests

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:57:57 EST

Relatives of family members diagnosed with cancer are still at risk of the disease even if the diagnosis came at an older age, a new paper suggests.

Serendipity points to new potential target and therapy for melanoma

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:39:39 EST

A new study describes a new target and potential treatment for melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. MicroRNA can decide which genes in a cell's DNA are expressed and which stay silent. Melanoma tends to lack microRNA-26a, which makes the gene SODD go silent.

Better approach to treating deadly melanoma identified

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:28:28 EST

Scientists have identified a protein that appears to hold the key to creating more effective drug treatments for melanoma, one of the deadliest cancers.

New technique could make cell-based immune therapies for cancer safer and more effective

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 13:25:25 EST

Scientists have shown for the first time the effectiveness of a new technique that could allow the development of more-specific, cell-based immune therapies for cancer.

New screening approach identified potential drug combinations for difficult-to-treat forms of melanoma

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:35:35 EST

A novel approach to identifying potential anticancer drug combinations revealed that pairing cholesterol-reducing drugs called statins with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors might provide an effective approach to treating intractable melanomas driven by mutations in the NRAS and KRAS gene.

Cancer stem cells isolated from kidney tumors

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:51:51 EST

Scientists have isolated cancer stem cells that lead to the growth of Wilms' tumours, a type of cancer typically found in the kidneys of young children. The researchers have used these cancer stem cells to test a new therapeutic approach that one day might be used to treat some of the more aggressive types of this disease.

Effective immunotherapy for melanoma hinges on blocking suppressive factors, study suggests

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:32:32 EST

Researchers have found that delayed tumor growth and enhanced survival of mice bearing melanoma were possible by blocking the reconstitution of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and Tregs (suppressors of anti-tumor activity) after total body irradiation had eliminated them. Blocking myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T-cell reconstitution improved adoptive T-cell therapy, an immunotherapy designed to suppress tumor activity.

X-ray analysis deciphers master regulator important for skin cancer

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 08:59:59 EST

Scientists have uncovered the molecular structure of a master regulator central to the most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma. The results throw new light on the workings of the so-called Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor MITF, that is not only connected to skin cancer, but also to a variety of hereditary diseases.

Research breakthrough could halt melanoma metastasis, study suggests

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:32:32 EST

In laboratory experiments, scientists have eliminated metastasis, the spread of cancer from the original tumor to other parts of the body, in melanoma by inhibiting a protein known as melanoma differentiation associated gene-9 (mda-9)/syntenin.

Awareness could eliminate inequalities in cancer diagnoses

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:36:36 EST

There are substantial inequalities in the stage at which cancer patients receive their diagnosis -- a critical factor for cancer survival -- a new study reveals. The researchers found that age, sex and income as well as the type of cancer influenced the risk of a patient being diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease.

Place in the sun carries risks for outdoor workers

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:04:04 EST

Those individuals who work outdoors with resultant sun exposure are at increased risk for non-melanoma skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. A new study shows that the connection between occupational UV exposure and squamous cell carcinoma is now well-established.

Spread of human melanoma cells in mice correlates with clinical outcomes in patients

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:11:11 EST

Scientists have developed an innovative model for predicting the progression of skin cancer in patients.

New monoclonal antibody inhibits tumour growth in advanced solid tumours in a phase I clinical trial

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:17:17 EST

A newly developed antibody targeting a signalling pathway that is frequently active in solid tumors has shown encouraging signs of efficacy in its first trial in humans, researchers report.

Unexpected factor contributes to melanoma risk in red-haired, fair-skinned individuals

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:18:18 EDT

The established elevated risk of melanoma among people with red hair and fair skin may be caused by more than just a lack of natural protection against ultraviolet radiation. Researchers report finding that the type of skin pigment predominantly found in red-haired, fair-skinned individuals may itself contribute to the development of melanoma.

Fighting melanoma's resistance to chemotherapy: Discovery could lead to better treatment of skin cancers

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:13:13 EDT

Blocking the action of a particular protein in our skin could improve the treatment of skin cancers, according to a new study.