WDTN Dayton news: FDA approves first melanoma cellular therapy
The University of Cincinnati's Trisha Wise-Draper, MD, PhD, spoke with WDTN Dayton to discuss the approval of Amtagvi, the first cellular therapy for metastatic or unresectable melanoma, a harmful skin cancer.
“It’s actually a cellular therapy but its very different than the cellular therapies that are currently available for a lot of the hematologic malignancies,” said Wise-Draper, a University of Cincinnati Cancer Center member, section head of Medical Oncology and professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology in UC’s College of Medicine.
The new therapy is for patients who have exhausted all other options.
“Because of the complicated nature of it, not everyone should get the therapy,” Wise-Draper said. “But for those that are fit and able to undergo the multiple treatments, cause it does require a very large multidisciplinary team.”
Wise-Draper said the Cancer Center's team of multidisciplinary experts will evaluate each patient to see if they are a fit for Amtagvi, since it is extensive.
“It’s really important that we evaluate the patient for feasibility upfront,” she said, “and make sure that’s something they’ll be able to undergo.”
Featured photo at top of Wise-Draper, left, and Vinita Takiar in their research laboratory. Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Marketing + Brand
Related Stories
Cincinnati sees record rainfall in weekend deluge
July 21, 2026
The Cincinnati Enquirer talks to UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Associate Professor Patrick Ray for context about a July 17 rainstorm that dumped a record amount of rain on parts of Cincinnati.
Putting preschool into perspective
July 20, 2026
Preschool and childcare can be difficult to navigate for parents, as Spectrum News 1 Ohio recently reported. Waitlists are long, and factors like cost, location and transportation can limit options. According to a recent study published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, only 41% of 3- to 4-year-olds in Ohio were enrolled in preschool between 2020 and 2024 — a 4% decrease from pre-pandemic numbers. For University of Cincinnati early childhood education faculty member Chad Nunamaker, that statistic has caveats.
Ticks that survive pesticides can withstand colder winters
July 17, 2026
Ticks that survive less-than-lethal doses of pesticide are able to withstand dangerous cold, which could help them expand their range farther north, according to researchers at the University of Cincinnati and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.