Howard D. Edington, MD, director, Cutaneous Oncology Program, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center, Allegheny Health Network, discusses the use of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC; Imlygic) in melanoma.

T-VEC, a modified herpes type 1 virus, that has been utilized in the treatment of melanoma for about 5 years, Edington says. T-VEC is genetically engineered to infect cancer cells and spare normal, healthy cells, Edington explains. The oncolytic virus has also been engineered to produce granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, which is an immunomodulatory cytokine, Edington adds.

Because melanoma is often both visible and palpable, T-VEC can be given intralesionally and injected straight into the tumor, making this an easy procedure, and it can work with other therapies, Edington concludes.

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Howard D. Edington, MD, discusses the use of talimogene laherparepvec in melanoma.


Dr. Edington on the Utilization of TVEC Therapy in Melanoma

Howard D. Edington, MD, director, Cutaneous Oncology Program, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center, Allegheny Health Network, discusses the utilization of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy in melanoma.

TIL therapy has been examined experimentally for years, Edington says. TILs are cells harvested from a patient, and after being expanded in the lab, they are trained to recognize and attack tumor cells, Edington explains. Once the TILs have demonstrated the ability to identify tumor cells, they are reintroduced to the patient, Edington adds.

Currently, TIL therapy is still awaiting FDA approval, Edington says, adding that approval is expected within the coming year. If TIL therapy is approved, it will become another treatment option clinicians can present to patients with advanced melanoma, Edington concludes.

Howard D. Edington, MD, discusses the utilization of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in melanoma.


Dr. Edington on the Utilization of TIL Therapy in Melanoma

Howard D. Edington, MD, director, Cutaneous Oncology Program, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center, Allegheny Health Network, discusses the importance of prevention strategies in melanoma.

Across the United States, awareness about melanoma must involve informing people about ways to prevent the disease and how to identify at-risk patients, Edington says. Preventing and identifying melanoma can be much more effective than treating the disease at an advanced stage, Edington adds.

When treating patients with advanced disease, options are more limited, compared with patients with early stage disease, Edington continues. The importance of early detection makes public education on these topics a necessity, Edington explains.

Despite the need for education and prevention, the treatment field has made enormous strides for patients with advanced melanoma, Edington concludes

Howard D. Edington, MD, discusses the importance of prevention strategies in melanoma.


Dr. Edington on the Importance of Prevention Strategies in Melanoma

Howard D. Edington, MD, director, Cutaneous Oncology Program, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center, Allegheny Health Network, discusses the evolving treatment paradigm of melanoma.

Medical therapy has undergone tremendous advances in melanoma in recent years, Edington says. The prognosis for stage IV disease, or advanced melanoma, used to be dismal, and now it has become manageable, Edington says.

Despite the progress in treating melanoma, areas of need remain, and the incidence of disease has continued to increase, Edington explains. Recent data suggest that by the year 2040, melanoma will be the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer, trailing only breast cancer, Edington concludes.

Howard D. Edington, MD, discusses the evolving treatment paradigm of melanoma.


Howard D. Edington, MD

Articles

Dr. Edington on the Utilization of TVEC Therapy in Melanoma

Dr. Edington on the Utilization of TIL Therapy in Melanoma

Dr. Edington on the Importance of Prevention Strategies in Melanoma

Dr. Edington on the Evolving Treatment Paradigm of Melanoma