University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Brain metastases are a devastating and increasingly common complication of advanced cancer. For example, previous studies have shown that up to 60% of patients with metastatic melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, will be diagnosed with brain metastases during the course of their disease. Historically the average survival for melanoma patients with brain metastases was very short. However, recent, clinical trials with new immune and targeted therapies have demonstrated much more promising results. Despite these advances, most patients still fail to achieve durable control of brain metastases, and brain metastases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this disease. Thus, developing more effective strategies to prevent and treat brain metastases from melanoma remains a critical unmet need.
