We Interview Dr. Eva Hernando Monge, Renowned International Melanoma Researcher
Coinciding with Melanoma Awareness Month, we interviewed Dr. Eva Hernando Monge, a renowned international melanoma researcher and member of FERO’s External Scientific Advisory Committee, to discuss the latest advances in melanoma research, diagnosis, and treatment.
Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, and its incidence is estimated to double in the next two decades. In Spain, approximately 1,000 people die each year from this disease, and it is projected that more than 36,000 lives will be lost in the next 20 years if more effective strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment are not developed.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that originates in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Melanoma is not a single type of cancer. There are several types, including cutaneous melanoma, the most common; acral lentiginous melanoma, which appears on the palms, soles, or under the nails; mucosal melanoma, which affects internal mucous membranes; and uveal melanoma, which originates in the eye. Although many cases are related to ultraviolet radiation, less common variants—such as ocular, mucosal, and acral melanomas—follow different pathways.
The Most Active Areas in Melanoma Research
According to Dr. Hernando, these less common variants are currently attracting increasing scientific attention, with research seeking specific treatments for these subtypes, which are currently diagnosed at more advanced stages and with limited therapeutic options.
In addition, significant efforts are also being made to study how tumor cells adapt and colonize distant organs, such as the brain, in order to develop therapies aimed at curbing metastasis.
For a decade, immunotherapy has transformed the treatment of melanoma, with immune checkpoint inhibitors significantly increasing the survival of patients with metastatic melanoma. However, the field of immunotherapy continues to evolve. Dr. Hernando mentioned cutting-edge approaches such as:
- Cellular therapies, including CAR-T cells, designed to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.
- Neoantigen vaccines, personalized according to each tumor’s genetic profile.
- Combination of new immune checkpoint inhibitors with existing ones to enhance their efficacy.
These therapies not only aim to eliminate the tumor but also to prepare the immune system to prevent relapses.
“Artificial intelligence will be key in the early detection and diagnosis of skin cancer”
Artificial Intelligence: An Ally in Diagnosis
Dr. Hernando also discussed the key role of early diagnosis in improving cancer survival. Detecting melanoma in early stages (I or II) allows patients to survive with surgery and, in most cases, without the need for further treatments. However, in advanced stages (III-IV), the disease often requires systemic therapies that are not always effective for all patients.
Dr. Hernando pointed out that artificial intelligence (AI) will allow for the detection of suspicious lesions at very early stages, thus enabling fewer patients to undergo systemic therapies, improving their quality of life and survival.
Furthermore, the implementation of AI tools in clinical practice will make melanoma survival more equitable, allowing more patients to be diagnosed early, even in regions with limited access to dermatologists, where patients are currently diagnosed at late stages due to lack of access to specialized medical teams.
In the near future, these tools are expected not only to diagnose but also to predict tumor aggressiveness, helping to personalize treatment from the outset.
Primary Prevention Must Be a Priority
“It is important to continue raising awareness about the importance of annual skin examinations with a dermatologist”
Prevention remains an unresolved issue. Despite widespread knowledge about the harmful effects of UV radiation, many people, especially young individuals influenced by social media, continue to prioritize aesthetics over health. Dr. Hernando advocates for reintroducing aggressive campaigns like those conducted in Australia since the 1980s, which significantly reduced melanoma incidence in people born during the first active campaigns. These campaigns demonstrated that clear messages, early education, and sustainable public policies can prevent cancer.
Funding for Basic Science
Finally, Dr. Hernando highlighted a crucial challenge: funding for basic science. Many major therapeutic advances originate in university laboratories before being developed by industry. To maintain this flow of innovation, it is essential for governments, foundations, and companies to continue supporting academic research.
“Major advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy have emerged from basic research in academia”
At FERO Foundation, we work for rigorous dissemination that actively contributes to cancer prevention. With the constant support of our scientific committees, we also reaffirm our commitment to oncology research as the only path to a cure.
And you? Join the Baselga effect and help us fund research that saves lives.
