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.
MIA joins Sydney Health Partners
Sydney Health Partners' goal is to ensure world class research is successfully implemented & scaled-up to benefit patients & wider society.
Congratulations Dr Hansol Lee
Promising young MIA researcher conferred with University of Sydney PhD.
Olympians join forces for melanoma warning
Jana Pittman and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor urge Australians to be sun-safe and check their skin as they join the Game On Mole campaign in support of their much-loved coach
MIA research wins Cancer Institute of NSW 'Wildfire Highly Cited Publication'
Cited an incredible 427 times around the world, showing its vital role in improving outcomes for people with advanced melanoma.
Prof Richard Scolyer receives University of Tasmania Distinguished Alumni Award
Honouring the exceptional impact of his work on communities around the world.
MIA's Co-Medical Directors receive University of Sydney's Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Research
Awarded for their life-saving discoveries transforming melanoma patient care.
Aussies urged to mark start of summer by checking their skin
National day of action called amidst fears COVID lockdowns have deterred patients from seeking potentially life-saving medical treatment
Prof Georgina Long AO awarded the 2021 Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research
Recognising her pioneering work in immunotherapy in melanoma, transforming the care of patients worldwide.
AMC2021 conference wrap-up
Clinicians and researchers from across Australia and beyond united online, bringing the AMC2021 conference theme of Promising Futures to life.
Journalist and news reader Peter Overton our new National Ambassador
Melanoma Institute Australia is proud to announce that the Nine Network’s Peter Overton AM has joined us as a National Ambassador.
MIA researchers feature on prestigious Highly Cited Researchers 2021 List
MIA is proud to announce that five of our researchers have been named on the Clarivate Annual Highly Cited Researchers™ 2021 list.
New research into importance of skin surveillance to save lives from melanoma
New research shows routine skin checks by a health professional, coupled with checking your own skin, are vital in saving lives from melanoma.
Game On Mole - saving lives this summer
With new patient figures indicating people may have deferred skin checks during the pandemic our Game On Mole campaign is more important than ever.
Melanoma March physical events in 2022
We are excited to announce a return to our much-loved physical Melanoma March events in March 2022!
Community Fundraising Wrap Up July-Sept 2021
Read more about the wonderful MIA community fundraising initiatives held recently.
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
Melanoma Bike Bash 2021: What a ride!
Over two fun, yet challenging, days in September an intrepid group of riders and crew successfully completed the annual Melanoma Bike Bash in WA!
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.
MIA researchers awarded $7.2m in NHMRC grants for health research
Three MIA researchers at University of Sydney received grants to further their important melanoma research.
Amie St Clair Ball in Wagga postponed for a third time
COVID restrictions continue to impact fundraising for melanoma services in Riverina.