If you’re dealing with cutaneous melanoma, we’re here to help. Our service focuses on connecting patients with the latest clinical trials for stage III or advanced and stage IV or metastatic melanoma. We make it straightforward for you to find and join these innovative trials, bringing you closer to the newest clinical trial options.
Massive Bio has onboarded over 160,000 cancer patients to find their clinical trial
Our goal is to ease your journey through this challenging time by providing access to cutting-edge medical research and approaches, offering support and guidance at every step.
Our matching system connects you with the most recent clinical trials, opening new avenues for those battling cutaneous melanoma. You’ll discover comprehensive details on clinical trials for all stages of cutaneous melanoma, with a special emphasis on Stage III and Stage IV.
These trials present novel methods that are not broadly accessible, focusing on the specific biomarkers linked to your cancer diagnosis. This represents your chance to be proactive in managing the illness with our guidance and support.
How our system works:
After reviewing your medical records and running the information through our AI powered system, we identify clinical trials you may be eligible for. Not only that, we also provide a concierge service that will allow for a smooth transition into the clinical trial.
Our team of specialized nurses and physicians will make sure that every detail of your participation in the trial is taken care of before, during and after your enrollment.
All the services provided are completely free for you and your treating oncologist.
What is Cutaneous Melanoma?
Cutaneous melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. These cells are responsible for giving skin its color. Melanoma is known for its ability to spread quickly and aggressively compared to other skin cancers. It’s important to catch it early for the best chance of effective treatment.
The main symptoms and signs of cutaneous melanoma include changes in existing moles or the development of new, unusual-looking growths on the skin. The following features are often used to assess moles or growths for melanoma, known as the ABCDEs:
Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half in size, shape, color, or thickness.
Border Irregularity: The edges of the mole are ragged, notched, blurred, or irregular in outline; the pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.
Color: The color is not uniform and may include shades of black or brown, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
Diameter: The mole is larger than 6mm across, about the size of a pencil eraser, although some melanomas can be smaller.
Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.
Other symptoms can include a mole that bleeds, itches, or is ulcerated (the surface appears scraped and raw). It’s essential to have any new or changing moles evaluated by a healthcare professional, especially if they exhibit any of the ABCDE characteristics. Early detection and treatment significantly improve the prognosis of cutaneous melanoma.
The options for cutaneous melanoma vary depending on the stage of the cancer, its location, the patient’s overall health, and other factors. Here are the most common treatment methods:
Surgery: The primary treatment for early-stage melanomas, involving the removal of the entire melanoma along with a margin of normal skin. If the melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes, these may also be removed.
Immunotherapy: Uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Common drugs include:
Ipilimumab (Yervoy): An immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda): These drugs target PD-1, a protein on immune cells.
Targeted Approach: Focuses on specific genes or proteins in cancer cells. Common drugs include:
BRAF inhibitors like Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) and Dabrafenib (Tafinlar).
MEK inhibitors such as Trametinib (Mekinist) and Cobimetinib (Cotellic), often used in combination with BRAF inhibitors.
Chemotherapy: Less common for melanoma, but includes drugs like Dacarbazine.
Radiation Therapy: Used to kill cancer cells, particularly for melanomas that have spread.
Adjuvant Therapy: Additional treatments post-surgery, which can include immunotherapy or targeted therapy drugs.
Clinical Trials: Offer access to new, experimental options.
Each plan is tailored to the individual’s specific case and health status. It’s crucial for these decisions to be made with a healthcare team specializing in melanoma.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is vital in linking patients with specific genetic mutations in their cancers to clinical trials for targeted options. This approach, part of personalized medicine, increases the effectiveness and success rates of these trials.
Cutaneous melanoma is associated with various genetic factors, both hereditary and acquired mutations. Here are some key genes involved:
BRAF: One of the most commonly mutated genes in melanoma. The BRAF V600E mutation is found in about 50% of cutaneous melanomas. This mutation leads to uncontrolled growth of melanocytes.
NRAS: Another gene frequently mutated in melanoma, NRAS mutations are found in about 15-20% of melanomas and are associated with abnormal cell growth and survival.
KIT: Mutations in the KIT gene are less common but can be found in some types of melanomas, particularly those developing on acral, mucosal, or chronically sun-damaged skin.
CDKN2A: This gene, when mutated, is often associated with familial melanoma. It normally helps regulate cell division and can act as a tumor suppressor.
PTEN: Another tumor suppressor gene, PTEN mutations can lead to unregulated cell growth and are associated with an increased risk of melanoma.
TP53: Known as the “guardian of the genome,” mutations in this gene can lead to several types of cancer, including melanoma. It plays a crucial role in preventing cancer formation.
Clinical trials play a crucial role in the treatment of stage 3 and stage 4 cutaneous melanoma for several reasons:
Access to New Options: Clinical trials offer patients a chance to try new options that could work better, especially for serious illnesses like advanced cutaneous melanoma.
Improving Outcomes: By participating in clinical trials, patients contribute to knowledge that could improve survival rates and quality of life for future cutaneous melanoma patients.
Comprehensive Care: Patients in clinical trials often receive a high level of care and are closely monitored by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals and researchers.
Hope for the Future: For many patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma, participating in a clinical trial provides hope—both for themselves and the possibility that their participation will help others in the future.
Advancing Research: These trials are essential for research, helping scientists understand how new options work and for whom they work best. This can lead to the development of more effective strategies and personalized medicine.
Cancer is an unfortunate reality that touches most of us at some point in our lives. If you or a loved one has cancer, you may have heard or read that clinical trials could offer access to innovative new options. But what exactly is a clinical trial? In this video, Massive Bio co-founder Arturo Loaiza-Bonilla, MD, explains how clinical trials work, what to expect if you enroll in one, and why a clinical trial can be an important option for many cancer patients.
We dream of the day when cancer disappears from our lives. Massive Bio is working tirelessly on achieving that goal.
Our goal is to ease your journey through this challenging time by providing access to cutting-edge medical research and approaches, offering support and guidance at every step.
Our matching system connects you with the most recent clinical trials, opening new avenues for those battling cutaneous melanoma. You’ll discover comprehensive details on clinical trials for all stages of cutaneous melanoma, with a special emphasis on Stage III and Stage IV.
These trials present novel methods that are not broadly accessible, focusing on the specific biomarkers linked to your cancer diagnosis. This represents your chance to be proactive in managing the illness with our guidance and support.
How our system works:
After reviewing your medical records and running the information through our AI powered system, we identify clinical trials you may be eligible for. Not only that, we also provide a concierge service that will allow for a smooth transition into the clinical trial.
Our team of specialized nurses and physicians will make sure that every detail of your participation in the trial is taken care of before, during and after your enrollment.
All the services provided are completely free for you and your treating oncologist.
What is Cutaneous Melanoma?
Cutaneous melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. These cells are responsible for giving skin its color. Melanoma is known for its ability to spread quickly and aggressively compared to other skin cancers. It’s important to catch it early for the best chance of effective treatment.
The main symptoms and signs of cutaneous melanoma include changes in existing moles or the development of new, unusual-looking growths on the skin. The following features are often used to assess moles or growths for melanoma, known as the ABCDEs:
Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half in size, shape, color, or thickness.
Border Irregularity: The edges of the mole are ragged, notched, blurred, or irregular in outline; the pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.
Color: The color is not uniform and may include shades of black or brown, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
Diameter: The mole is larger than 6mm across, about the size of a pencil eraser, although some melanomas can be smaller.
Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.
Other symptoms can include a mole that bleeds, itches, or is ulcerated (the surface appears scraped and raw). It’s essential to have any new or changing moles evaluated by a healthcare professional, especially if they exhibit any of the ABCDE characteristics. Early detection and treatment significantly improve the prognosis of cutaneous melanoma.
The options for cutaneous melanoma vary depending on the stage of the cancer, its location, the patient’s overall health, and other factors. Here are the most common treatment methods:
Surgery: The primary treatment for early-stage melanomas, involving the removal of the entire melanoma along with a margin of normal skin. If the melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes, these may also be removed.
Immunotherapy: Uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Common drugs include:
Ipilimumab (Yervoy): An immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda): These drugs target PD-1, a protein on immune cells.
Targeted Approach: Focuses on specific genes or proteins in cancer cells. Common drugs include:
BRAF inhibitors like Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) and Dabrafenib (Tafinlar).
MEK inhibitors such as Trametinib (Mekinist) and Cobimetinib (Cotellic), often used in combination with BRAF inhibitors.
Chemotherapy: Less common for melanoma, but includes drugs like Dacarbazine.
Radiation Therapy: Used to kill cancer cells, particularly for melanomas that have spread.
Adjuvant Therapy: Additional treatments post-surgery, which can include immunotherapy or targeted therapy drugs.
Clinical Trials: Offer access to new, experimental options.
Each plan is tailored to the individual’s specific case and health status. It’s crucial for these decisions to be made with a healthcare team specializing in melanoma.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is vital in linking patients with specific genetic mutations in their cancers to clinical trials for targeted options. This approach, part of personalized medicine, increases the effectiveness and success rates of these trials.
Cutaneous melanoma is associated with various genetic factors, both hereditary and acquired mutations. Here are some key genes involved:
BRAF: One of the most commonly mutated genes in melanoma. The BRAF V600E mutation is found in about 50% of cutaneous melanomas. This mutation leads to uncontrolled growth of melanocytes.
NRAS: Another gene frequently mutated in melanoma, NRAS mutations are found in about 15-20% of melanomas and are associated with abnormal cell growth and survival.
KIT: Mutations in the KIT gene are less common but can be found in some types of melanomas, particularly those developing on acral, mucosal, or chronically sun-damaged skin.
CDKN2A: This gene, when mutated, is often associated with familial melanoma. It normally helps regulate cell division and can act as a tumor suppressor.
PTEN: Another tumor suppressor gene, PTEN mutations can lead to unregulated cell growth and are associated with an increased risk of melanoma.
TP53: Known as the “guardian of the genome,” mutations in this gene can lead to several types of cancer, including melanoma. It plays a crucial role in preventing cancer formation.
Clinical trials play a crucial role in the treatment of stage 3 and stage 4 cutaneous melanoma for several reasons:
Access to New Options: Clinical trials offer patients a chance to try new options that could work better, especially for serious illnesses like advanced cutaneous melanoma.
Improving Outcomes: By participating in clinical trials, patients contribute to knowledge that could improve survival rates and quality of life for future cutaneous melanoma patients.
Comprehensive Care: Patients in clinical trials often receive a high level of care and are closely monitored by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals and researchers.
Hope for the Future: For many patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma, participating in a clinical trial provides hope—both for themselves and the possibility that their participation will help others in the future.
Advancing Research: These trials are essential for research, helping scientists understand how new options work and for whom they work best. This can lead to the development of more effective strategies and personalized medicine.
Cancer is an unfortunate reality that touches most of us at some point in our lives. If you or a loved one has cancer, you may have heard or read that clinical trials could offer access to innovative new options. But what exactly is a clinical trial? In this video, Massive Bio co-founder Arturo Loaiza-Bonilla, MD, explains how clinical trials work, what to expect if you enroll in one, and why a clinical trial can be an important option for many cancer patients.
We dream of the day when cancer disappears from our lives. Massive Bio is working tirelessly on achieving that goal.
Fill out our contact form and sign our consent form
We collect your medical records securely
Our expert nurses check clinical trials and contact you
We support you with appointments, travel, and accommodation
Our expert nurses check clinical trials and contact you
We support you with appointments, travel, and accommodation
Fill out our contact form and sign our consent form
We collect your medical records securely
Our expert nurses check clinical trials and contact you
We support you with appointments, travel, and accommodation
Fill out our contact form and sign our consent form
We collect your medical records securely
We offer a quick, easy and FREE way to find cutaneous melanoma cancer clinical research opportunities for patients like you. With our unique clinical trial matching system (CTMS) and team specialized in oncology, we can rapidly match you to a clinical research study for those diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma cancer.
To enroll in clinical trial, you must meet highly specific criteria that’s established by the researchers who are conducting the investigation. That includes detailed information about type of cancer, treatment history, response to treatment, and other data that is collected in medical records.
If you are being treated for cancer or any other disease, your doctor should have a complete record of your medical care, including specific information about what form of the disease you have and what treatments you have received. Your patient relations coordinator will contact you and inform you about the details.
Massive Bio provides its services to the patients and their doctors at no cost—you won’t have to pay anything to receive a clinical-research matching report. There are no hidden costs involved.
Massive Bio strictly adheres to all HIPAA guidelines and international regulations focused on maintaining your privacy. We take extra measures to secure your personal information, ensuring it is protected beyond the mandatory requirements.
Your doctor may know of a clinical research study being conducted in your area that’s recruiting participants and is right for you. However, Massive Bio uses its artificial intelligence powered platform to match patients to clinical research studies that give you the best chance of a positive outcome and are being conducted in a geographical location that makes sense for you.
Yes, Massive Bio keeps your doctor up to date on your status throughout your participation.
