Australian researchers pioneer life-extending treatment for advanced melanoma patients with brain tumours
18 May 2017
Australian researchers are the first to demonstrate that patients with advanced melanoma which has spread to the brain can have increased life expectancy and possibly even beat the disease.
The promising results from a clinical trial developed and run by investigators at Melanoma Institute Australia are being presented in Chicago at the world’s largest oncology conference, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, attended by more than 30,000 delegates from around the world.
The ground-breaking Anti-PD1 Brain Collaboration (ABC) clinical trial involved advanced melanoma patients being given a combination of two different immunotherapy drugs: nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy®).
Results from an early analysis of this trial show 79% of advanced melanoma patients with brain metastases treated with the combination immunotherapy were still alive at six months. 66% of those who got nivolumab alone were also alive after six months.
Typically, patients with active brain metastases survive only four to five months and never even used to be admitted to clinical trials because their prognosis was so dire.
“This is an absolute game-changer for how we treat patients with advanced melanoma which has spread to the brain. It provides new hope to the 1,800 Australians expected to die from melanoma this year,” said Professor Georgina Long, the study’s chief investigator, Conjoint Medical Director of Melanoma Institute Australia and Chair of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research at The University of Sydney.
“Quite simply, having brain metastases is no longer a death sentence,” she said. “We can now offer additional years of life and also the hope of ultimately beating this disease to a significant number of people.”
In February 2016, Australia approved the use of nivolumab for advanced melanoma patients as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with ipilimumab.
However, patients with brain metastases were excluded from previous clinical trials, including the ones that led to the drugs’ approval. This was what prompted Melanoma Institute Australia to develop and run the world-first ABC trial.
“I have melanoma patients with brain metastases who would not be alive today if they had not participated in this trial,” Professor Long said.
The study also examined patients who had no previous drug therapy prior to joining the trial, and those who received previous targeted drug therapy which is effective in patients with BRAF mutations in their melanoma.
It found that the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab was more active in patients who had not received prior targeted BRAF-directed drug therapy.
Under the current Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia, doctors are restricted in the order in which they can prescribe the targeted BRAF-directed drug therapies and immunotherapy as treatments for melanoma. The restrictions make it very difficult to give immunotherapy first to patients who have the BRAF mutation in their melanoma (approximately 40% of all melanoma patients).
However, this new research strongly suggests that immunotherapy should be the first-line treatment in suitable patients, in particular, those with brain metastases.
Young dad, Leigh Miller (pictured here), is just one of the patients on the ABC Trial who has had a remarkable turnaround.
Australasian Melanoma Conference AMC2021
The 2021 Australasian Melanoma Conference (AMC2021) will held in Sydney, Australia.
Australian researchers spearhead paradigm shift in melanoma treatment
Drug therapy set to become standard treatment in high-risk early stage patients to stop disease spread
Prof Georgina Long AO awarded inaugural Outstanding Female Researcher Medal from AAHMS
Prof Long AO has been recognised by Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences for her transformative work advancing melanoma treatments.
Amie St Clair Ball in Wagga postponed for a third time
COVID restrictions continue to impact fundraising for melanoma services in Riverina.
Honouring Ben's life by supporting the next generation of melanoma researchers
Ben Garrow lost his life to melanoma. In his honour his family has established a scholarship to support a PhD student whose work focuses on saving lives from melanoma.
MIA's annual Research Retreat 2021
More than 150 clinicians, researchers and MIA staff gathered online to share research highlights.
Understanding the needs of Stage III melanoma patients when choosing treatments.
Independent researchers at The University of Sydney are seeking patient feedback.
Community Fundraising Wrap Up Apr-June 2021
A re-cap of the wonderful, and often very creative, community fundraising initiatives over the April to June quarter.
Patients paying it forward
Our patients who donate their tissue samples and records to our research are helping to make a difference to the lives of future melanoma patients.
Research boost to improve outcomes for melanoma patients
MIA researchers have recently been awarded two competitive funding grants, which will help facilitate their ground-breaking work in melanoma research.
Amie St Clair 10th Annual Ball
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Amie St Clair Melanoma at the Annual Ball in Wagga Wagga!
Riverina Melanoma Ride
Postponed to early 2022. Melanoma survivor Matt Kean is doing a 1000km bike ride around the Riverina to increase awareness of melanoma and raise funds for Amie St Clair Melanoma - MIA. There are many ways you can be part of this life-changing ride!
Melanoma Clinical Trial to open in Wagga
Riverina patients gain access to potentially life saving immunotherapy treatment close to home.
Queen's Birthday Honour for Professor Richard Scolyer
MIA's Prof Scolyer has been appointed as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia.
Sharing our research on the global stage at 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting
Research from MIA was once again in the spotlight as findings were shared at the virtual ASCO21.
Australian researchers lead world in successful trial of new cancer treatment.
In a breakthrough which could extend to the treatment of other cancers, a new immune checkpoint inhibitor has proven effective in helping save the lives of advanced melanoma patients.
Thank you doesn't seem enough for our melanoma nurses.
Whilst our research and clinical teams are trialling new treatments to save lives, it is our nurses who are on the front line providing care and support.
Sharing our knowledge of melanoma on the global stage
As leaders in the field of melanoma, clinicians and researchers from MIA shared their knowledge at the virtual 10th World Congress of Melanoma.
Community Fundraising Wrap Up Jan-Mar 2021
The easing of COVID restrictions has meant the return of community events, and we recognise the generous support of our community fundraisers.
Melanoma patients and their families urged to speak up and put national spotlight on melanoma.
Melanoma patients and their carers are being urged to participate in a ground-breaking survey which will shape the future of melanoma treatment, research, support and funding in Australia.