FollowThis week we reported that CVS Caremark has stopped selling tobacco products in an effort to turning over a new leaf and becoming the health company it has always set out to be. In more cancer news, FDA has just announced that it has approved Merck’s Keytruda cancer drug, for unresected melanoma.
Merck’s Keytruda Cancer Drug
Merck’s Keytruda cancer drug, the newly FDA-approved drug, is the first anti-PD-1 therapy approved in the U.S. It is meant for treating advanced melanoma. Keytruda works by inhibiting the programmed death receptor-1, blocking a big pathway by which the cancer cells dodge the body’s immune system.
Merck released a statement today to express gratitude to participants in the study.
KEYTRUDA embodies Merck’s unwavering commitment to pursue breakthrough science to help people who are facing the most challenging diseases. We are grateful to the people with advanced melanoma who participated in our trials, and the scientific and medical community for the shared effort that has led to the accelerated approval of KEYTRUDA.
For melanoma early detection is crucial. Do you know about the ABCDE system for monitoring moles? Learn about it and make sure you regularly check your moles for any developments.
Asymmetry: Is your mole asymmetric? Is one half different from the other?
Borders: Are the borders of the mole irregular?
Color: Did your mole chance color in time? Does the color change from one area to another?
Diameter: Is your mole larger than 6 mm in diameter?
Evolution: Does your mole keep changing its appearance?
If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, have a doctor checked it out, it could help save your life. Remember about the ABCDE!
What are your thoughts on this news? Care to share them in the comment section below?
