Partner spotlight: Advancing melanoma clinical trials with Melanoma Research Alliance

Doctor checking patient for melanoma symptoms

Antidote’s mission is to connect patients with medical research so medical breakthroughs can take place. A key part of our strategy is partnering with nonprofits and patient advocacy groups. We provide our clinical trial matching technology, Antidote Match, at no cost to these organizations, to help patients and caregivers discover new research opportunities and connect  to clinical trials quickly and easily.

Today, we’re spotlighting our partnership with the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the largest nonprofit funder of melanoma research. It is estimated that nearly 100,000 individuals were diagnosed with melanoma in 2023, and it remains the deadliest type of skin cancer. Through MRA’s Clinical Trial Locator powered by Antidote, it is our hope that research studies can engage with patient populations and help advance knowledge of melanoma treatment, prevention, and more.

The importance of melanoma clinical trials

Many patients think of clinical trials as a last resort — but to advance medical research, it is important to dispel this myth. Jamie Goldfarb, a melanoma survivor, probably said it best in an interview with MRA: “[Clinical trials] aren’t the thing you try on a whim after you’ve tried everything else. They should be considered when you make your first treatment decisions because they are the way to make sure you are getting cutting-edge therapy.”

What to know about participating in a melanoma clinical trial

For those who have not taken part in research, it may be difficult to know what to expect from a clinical trial. Here are a few things to note:

  • After finding a clinical trial that is of interest, potential participants go through a screening process so researchers can ask questions and make sure the study is a good fit
  • Eligible participants will be given an informed consent form to certify that they understand the trial and have had all their questions answered
  • After the paperwork is signed, participants will begin attending study appointments, which are just like a doctor’s appointment, but with extra attention
  • Depending on the melanoma treatment being studied, site staff may ask participants to take notes or track how they’re feeling as part of the trial
  • Volunteers can always leave a trial at any time and for any reason

Resources for melanoma patients

Another resource worth noting is MRA’s Melanoma > Exchange community, designed for patients and their caregivers to share insights into their diagnosis, treatments, their experience with clinical trials, and more. From questions about melanoma stages to managing the condition and more, engaging with this online group can help every individual affected by melanoma find support.

Melanoma clinical trials are currently enrolling and need people to take part. If you’re considering a clinical trial, start searching today. It’s as easy as answering a few questions through the MRA’s Clinical Trial Locator or clicking the button below.