In today’s episode, we’re talking about a profoundly touching topic—caring for someone with melanoma. Today, we’re discussing the roles, challenges, and triumphs of those who stand by their loved ones in the fight against melanoma—caregivers. They are the unsung heroes who provide the support and strength needed to face each day anew.  Our guests: Sue Capozzi: Sue has devotedly served as a caregiver for her husband, John, who, despite his current stability, was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma in 2019, which progressed to Stage IV the following year. Throughout his challenging treatment ..read more

Melanoma cells are one of the most common cancers that can migrate to the brain, creating a new challenge for patients after their initial round of cancer treatment. While the risk of brain metastases may be explained to new cancer patients during their treatment, it’s easy for patients and caregivers to be overwhelmed. It can be common for many patients to forget even hearing the words “brain metastases.” An estimated 7% to 10% of patients with melanoma develop brain metastases. These tumors typically occur a few years after melanoma is found (on average, 22 to 37 months). Are You at Ris ..read more

From the Desk of Samantha Guild Happy Spring! Spring is a season of things new and renewed, and this newsletter fits that theme. On the “new” front is the FDA’s approval in February of Amtagvi (lifileucel), the TILs therapy for the treatment of metastatic melanoma (read about all FDA approved treatments for melanoma here). We have two articles in this newsletter to help you understand the treatment and approval. The first is a newly updated version of an In Plain English article by Dr. Kim Margolin that we ran a few years ago explaining how TILs therapy works and who can receive it. The second ..read more

The following is an edited and shortened version of our recent interview with Allison Betof Warner, MD, PhD about the newly FDA approved treatment for melanoma called lifileucel (Amtagvi), TIL therapy or TILs, for tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. To watch the full webinar, click here. What is TIL therapy (Amtagvi or lifileucel), and how does it work? TILs stands for tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and is another form of immunotherapy. Immunotherapy in melanoma usually means checkpoint inhibitors, which are drug treatments that activate a patient’s immune cells so they can seek and kill tumor cel ..read more

By Kim Margolin, M.D., FACP, FASCO Note: We are rerunning an update on this TIL therapy article that originally ran in our newsletter and on our website in November of 2022 because of the February 2024 FDA accelerated approval of lifileucel (Amtagvi). Lifileucel is the cell therapy product, and the overall regimen is detailed below.    Background—Immunotherapy of Melanoma The explosion of immunotherapy over the past decade has revolutionized the treatment of melanoma and nearly every other adult type of cancer. As a reminder, this form of treatment  stimulates the body’s immune ..read more

Ways to Give: Estate Gifts First Article in a Series Here at AIM at Melanoma, we are fortunate to be frequently asked an important question: What are the different ways we can give? Generally, people want to know if there are impactful ways to give in addition to writing a check. The answer is YES! This article is the first in a monthly series in which we will share ways to give that might be a good fit for your circumstances and that can increase your impact on our mission. Estate Gifts An “estate gift” is a fancy way of saying a gift that is designated in your will. If you are a close reader ..read more

By Mara Klecker Elizabeth Rounseville hardly knew what melanoma was when she was diagnosed in 2018 after going to see a dermatologist for a mole that was bothering her. The doctor immediately warned her that the spot on her leg didn’t look good and called a week later with the diagnosis. He directed her to a surgeon, who discovered the cancer was in her lymph nodes. “It was crazy from then on,” said Elizabeth, now 43 and living in Massachusettes. “It’s been a long, long journey.” In the years since that first diagnosis, one constant has remained: Elizabeth’s trust in her doctors and determina ..read more

Ever wondered how animals can make a huge difference in people’s lives? In this podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of animal-assisted therapy and explore its incredible benefits for both physical and mental well-being. From calming anxiety to promoting social interaction, animals undeniably impact human happiness and healing. Join us as we unveil heartwarming stories and scientific insights about the transformative power of furry companions. About our guest: ⁠DR. AUBREY H. FINE⁠ Dr. Fine received his graduate degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1982 and has been on the f ..read more

The Food and Drug Administration approval provides another option for advanced, refractory melanoma February 16, 2024 (Richmond, California) The FDA has approved a new immunotherapy for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor, called AMTAGVI™ (lifileucel), an autologous cell therapy. Harnessing the power of the body’s natural immune system received a major boost with this approval. Over the last decade, the use of immunotherapy, including immune check ..read more

Writing has been medicine for Nancy Slonim Aronie. At nine months old, her son Dan was diagnosed with diabetes. Then, at twenty-two, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. During the years she and her husband took care of Dan, and when he died at age thirty-eight, Aronie could not find the book she needed. So she wrote her memoir. In teaching memoir writing, Aronie has found that everyone has a story to tell and that telling it is important. Sharing “this is who I am, these are the things that shaped me, this is where I am now” allows a kind of magic and healing to happen. In this podcast s ..read more