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news.Researchers at the Centenary Institute at the University of Sydney have advanced the development of a new class of drugs for the treatment of certain cases of melanoma.
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Around 20% of melanoma patients face aggressive melanoma due to an abnormal activation of the gene EZH2.
The researchers found that the inhibition of the gene EZH2 in such patients may control and kill melanoma cells.
The new class of melanoma drugs are expected to be highly effective in patients with abnormal amount of EZH2 gene who become resistant to the existing treatments.
University of Sydney lead researcher on this project Dr Jessamy Tiffen said: "Despite great successes we’ve recently seen with immunotherapies for the treatment of melanoma, not all patients respond. The development of resistance to treatment remains a serious problem.
"This breakthrough brings us one step closer to offering a new and effective treatment for some of the many melanoma patients who find themselves with no other option."
This new class of drugs, which has proven to be effective for the treatment of Lymphoma, is currently being used in clinical trials.