The incidence of melanoma has increased dramatically over the last several years. Researchers are continually looking for novel ways to treat this potentially deadly form of skin cancer. Thus patients with all stages of melanoma may be candidates for clinical trials. Patients with stage IV melanoma that has spread to distant sites are rarely helped by standard therapy. These patients are considered candidates for clinical trials that are studying new forms of treatment, including:

• Combination chemotherapy
  
  
• Gene therapy. This novel form of treatment adds certain genes to the cancer cells in an effort to help the cells regulate their malignant behavior.
  
  
• Retinoids (synthetic vitamin A). Preliminary studies show that retinoids can have a protective effect in reducing the incidence of skin cancer in those most at risk.
  
  
• Vaccine immunotherapy. This form of therapy seeks to find new ways of controlling the response of the immune system to the melanoma.
  
  
• Molecular targeting. New drugs combined with chemotherapy are being evaluated for their role in attacking genes related to melanoma. The BRAF gene is abnormal in melanoma cells and medications that block its activity are being studied in clinical trials.

Patients who are interested in enlisting in a clinical trial should speak with their oncologist (cancer doctor). Information on clinical trials is also available online from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).