Long-term survival of ipilimumab-naive patients (pts) with advanced melanoma (MEL) treated with nivolumab (anti-PD-1, BMS-936558, ONO-4538) in a phase I trial.

This is a Phase 1 study in advanced Melanoma with patients without prior Ipi.

After 1 year, 63% of all patients are still alive.
http://mpneatasco.blogspot.com/2014/05/long-term-survival-of-ipilimumab-naive.html

In comparison, after 1 year on the Merck PD1, 86% of patients with PDL1 positive tumours and 72% of patients with PDL1 negative tumours were still alive as presented at AACR earlier this year.

http://www.aacr.org/home/public--media/aacr-press-releases.aspx?d=3307

This is early data, so it is worth checking what the patient populations look like- if one was considerably sicker, that has obviously an influence on the result!

OS rate*
n=107	% (95% CI)	Pts at risk
1 y	63 (53, 71)	63
2 y	48 (38, 57)	44
3 y	41 (31, 51)	22

*September 2013 analysis

FDA special session for patient representatives and advocates

On Sunday, I will be going to a special session organised by the FDA where they will talk about

- What’s New at FDA: Breakthrough Therapy and other Expedited Approval Pathways

- Expanded Access & Patient-Focused Drug Development        

- Opportunities & Challenges in Global Oncology Drug Development   

  So the main topic will be how to accelerate drug approval and how to ensure patients can access new drugs faster- and as we all know, this is something that would make all the difference for patients with cancers like Melanoma!

We'll be a group of European cancer advocates going, so these are problems we share with other cancers.

If you've got questions you would like me to ask, let me know!

                            

Wished you were here?

Attend ASCO as a patient advocate:

http://am.asco.org/attend-meeting-patient-advocate

There are even opportunities to apply for financial support when applying well ahead of time (so note for next year!), unfortunately, I can't find the link right now!

Approach to BRAF pos metastatic Melanoma

Approach to BRAF pos metastatic Melanoma

An article from the ASCO 2014 educational book written by known Melanoma oncologists on the steps to take when diagnosed with Melanoma and a good discussion about the possible therapy options.

http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/content/11400412-144

Interleukin-2 is used less in Europe than in the US, notorious for its side effects and I am sure this ASCO will give interesting results on PD-1!

Just arrived!

Just landed in Chicago and now on the way into town- 8 hours flight are a long time but it gave me a chance to have a closer look at the ASCO abstracts- there are some interesting news for Melanoma out there!

You can read them yourself under
http://abstracts.asco.org/144/CatAbstView_144_561_AT.html

Will keep you posted!

Bettina