New Hope for Melanoma Patients?

(CBS)  Melanoma is thought to be caused by overexposure to the sun, and every year, close to 9,000 Americans die from it.

But, an experimental treatment is offering hope for patients in the final stage of the disease, reports CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes.

About half of melanoma patients carry a gene that actually promotes cancer growth, she explains. The experimental pills disrupt the gene -- causing tumors to shrink. A new study found the drug was effective in 80 percent of patients who have the gene -- and it worked for an average of seven months, giving those patients more time.

Dr. Antoni Ribas, of UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, says of the drug, "Compared to chemotherapy, it works much better in melanoma and it has less side effects."

Dr. Lynn Schuchter, University of Pennsylvania Hospital, said, "It's really the most optimistic time I've ever seen for patients with advanced melanoma."

Shirley Chance got a new hope after taking the drug. She didn't expect to be alive today.

Eleven months ago, doctors told her she had final stage skin cancer. The melanoma that started on her arm had spread -- or metastasized. Scans revealed tumors in her lungs and brain.

Chance said, "When I said, 'What are we talking about?' He said six months to a year."

Chance underwent radiation treatments but her prognosis remained grim - until she began the experimental drug.

Hughes says it's not known how long the drug will work for Chance -- but so far, it's been extremely effective. Her cancer was actually sent into remission, enabling her to see the birth of her grandson.

Chance told CBS News, "I used to wake up every day dying, I don't do that anymore. I wake up every day living."

If future testing is successful, Hughes said, the treatment could be on the market in less than two years.

Hughes added the drug is so new that it doesn' have a name yet.

[cktirumalai]

It is certainly good news that the new treatment enables patients with advanced melanoma to live longer.
Since it is one of those conditions that is caused by over-exposure to the sun (and possibly by the artificial light of tanning saloons), perhaps the temptation of soaking in sunlight (protective sunscreen notwithstanding) and developing an "envied" complexion needs to be resisted. I know of one person whose melanoma is not advanced but who has needed interventional medical treatment every few months for years.
Candadai Tirumalai

[smgirl]

Funny this article should have shown up today. One year ago today, I said good bye to my ex husband for the last time, as he battled this disease. On Sept. 16th it will mark one year that he has been gone, and the scars left by this disease on all of his children, two under the age of 18 has been devastating. I know he got the exposure to this disease before I ever married him, as he like to go to tanning salons. I hope they find a cure for this disease, and this is a good start. My son is in such grief over the loss of his dad I hope that he can find peace ob ne day, and realize no one was to blame.

[shellcooponeill]

PLEASE - How do we get access to this drug with no name. My husband has late stage melanoma.

[jab232]

I hope this is as promising as it seems. Melanoma is a terrible form of cancer. We've lost loved ones to it.

[peacefulperson]

My mom died young and I think it's wonderful that this drug will help people with terminal illnesses have extra time to love their families and live their dreams!

[TomColt]

"...the drug is so new that it doesn't have a name yet."

What kind of reporting is that?