More trial options for those who have been through it and then some! Oh, and ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS, with love and hope!!!

All we really need is love from dear ones, an effective treatment plan, and a little hope.

Here's a previous post with links to trials for those who have been through many melanoma treatments and still need a little something MORE!!!  -  Trials for Joshie and Paulster and.....

And here's another option, thanks again to researcher sublime - Eric!

A Study of CA-170 (Oral PD-L1, PD-L2 and VISTA Checkpoint Antagonist) in Patients With Advanced Tumors and Lymphomas

This one specifically states: "CA-170 is a rationally designed and orally available, small molecule that directly targets the Programmed death-ligands 1 and 2 (PD-L1/PD-L2), and V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) immune checkpoints and results in activation of T cell proliferation and cytokine production. This is a multi-center, open-label, Phase 1 trial of orally administered CA-170 in adult patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas who have progressed or are non-responsive to available therapies and for which no standard therapy exists."

And INCLUDES:  "Tumor for which standard therapy, including approved anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy, when applicable, does not exist or is no longer effective."   

EXCLUSIONS do state: 

1. Radiotherapy within the last 21 days;
2. Primary brain tumors or CNS metastases;

(I'm guessing that means that treated brain mets...at least 21 days post treatment WOULD be accepted...but it is a little unclear.)  Recruiting in CA, CO, FL, Penn, NC, and TN.

I don't know much of anything about this particular treatment.  VISTA is a molecule involved in the regulation of immune response by T cells.  It has an effect on a different and earlier part of the process and works through inhibiting myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC's).  It may be synergistic with anti-PD1, anti-PDL1 and 2, as well as CTLA 4.  The specific molecule in this study,  CA-170, inhibits PDL1, PDL2 and VISTA.  This is a first in human study so what this will and won't do remains a question.  I will post anything more I do find, but...ratties end up teaching us all don't they?

Weber talks about some of this here:  The Future of Melanoma Treatment

Reminder of the importance of myeloid derived suppressor cells here:  Markers for response to immunotherapy   (Or put "Myeloid" in the search bubble for even more.)

And while this past year in melanoma world has been one of pain and loss and struggle for far too many, I, and many of my peeps, remain blessed to be here...still.  Not only are we HERE....we are not alone!  We have our dear ones.  And we have formed a formidable family....one with the other.  As folks, most of whom have never met, we absolutely KNOW one another.  We SEE, one another.  We truly CARE for one another.  And we DO lift one another with HOPE!  As eloquently noted by Michelle Obama ~

"Hope is necessary. It's a necessary concept and Barack didn't just talk about hope because he thought it was just a nice slogan to get votes. He and I and so many believe that — what else do you have if you don't have hope? What do you give your kids if you can't give them hope?"

It's true isn't it?  Without hope, even the brightest day, with all it's gifts, becomes dark and impossible.  So....on this most hopeful of calendar days - I wish you peace, and love, and hope.

Thanks to each of my peeps - near and far - for what you share with me each day. Merry Christmas, c

 PS  Gotta love Christmas in TN.  Just had a great run with B in shorts with a temp of 69 degrees!!!  First run in a while, as smoke from the surrounding wild fires had been causing dangerously bad air quality and limited my outdoor exercise.  But...skies are clear now - global warming not withstanding!!  Sending warm sweet wishes to all of you and your critters!! - les