Breakthrough

Research in the area of cancer is always ongoing and breakthroughs can effect many or one type of cancer. While investigating the effect of one new drug for the treatment of multiple cancer types it has been found that Selumetinib, whilst in very early clinical trials, has been shown to reduce the progression rate  of metastatic uveal melanoma in patients.

Uveal melanomas comes about from changes to the pigment producing cells (melanocytes) of the uvea. Almost three quarters of these type of cancers are due to genetic mutations. Metastatic uveal melanoma is an advanced form and can spread via the blood to other body parts, quite often the liver. 

Selumetinib, disrupts enzymes involved in the signalling pathway associated with the mutated genes, and  in these early stage clinical trials has been shown to disrupt the growth of melanoma cells in a lab setting. It is now in early stage human trials.