melanoma

Could fashionable wearable devices and apps finally convince us to wear more sunscreen?

Wearable devices are not just for tracking fitness and overall health. Some are providing much more specific information and recommendations.

By Nicole Oran

After withdrawing IPO, DermTech raises $2.4M for its RNA-based, biopsy-free melanoma diagnostic

San Diego skin cancer diagnostics startup DermTech is developing gene classifiers and expression tests to help more accurately screen for dermatologic issues. It just raised $2.4 million to do so, according to a regulatory filing – an interesting funding notice, given its announcement last year that it was readying for – and then withdrawing – a $25 […]

By Meghana Keshavan

Drinking coffee daily could mean a major decrease in the risk of melanoma

Coffee drinkers could be lowering their chances of getting melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, with each cup. Those of us who need a kick of caffeine throughout the work day will take what we can get in terms of random health benefits – even if we do spend most hours of the weekdays […]

By Nicole Oran

Castle Biosciences commercializing tests for orphan cancers, raising $11.8M

Texas cancer diagnostics company Castle Biosciences plans to expand the clinical availability of its tests that assess “rare and underserved cancers,” particularly one for cutaneous melanoma. It has wrapped up an $11.8 million round to do so, the company said. The round was led by new investor HealthQuest Capital; existing investors Mountain Group Capital and Affiliates, Longfellow […]

By Meghana Keshavan

Devices & Diagnostics

Adhesive tape replaces a skin biopsy in new, noninvasive test for melanoma

If a doctor suspects a mole or skin spot might be cancerous, she would usually give the patient a local anesthetic, cut out or shave off a sample of the skin and send it to a lab for testing. With a new test being developed by biotechnology company DermTech, that sample could be taken without […]

By Deanna Pogorelc

Pharma

Months before final-stage data are due, GSK files for U.S. approval for melanoma drug combination

LONDON (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline has filed for U.S. approval of a two-drug combination against melanoma earlier than many industry analysts expected, using data from a mid-stage clinical trial. The move highlights a growing belief among drug companie...