There may be a breakthrough for people with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. It's a new treatment called Ipilimumab, or "IPI" for short.
The drug contains a protein that helps the immune system attack the cancer.
In a clinical trial of 700 patients with advanced melanoma, those on the drug lived about 3 1/2 months longer than patients without the treatment.
Doctors call it encouraging news.
"Traditionally we've had no treatment that has successfully improved survival," said Dr. Stephen O'Day, The Angeles Clinic & Research Institute.
There are drawbacks to the "IPI" treatment. Doctors say it doesn't work for some patients and doctors can't predict who will respond.
