Although melanoma tumour has always been one of the most feared, the last five years have brought a paradigm shift in the treatment of these tumours and, therefore, its evolution and prognosis. As for tackling melanoma, a multidisciplinary approach is key, and it is essential that these tumours are treated in centres for this disease, which have transversal teams with involvement of specialists in dermatology, oncology, pathological anatomy and plastic surgery. But the challenge of treating these tumours goes one step further and it is necessary to offer patients all the of the most pioneering research results so that they are transalated into the maximum range of therapeutic possibilities aimed at these patients.This translational research has an exceptional setting in the Vall d'Hebron Campus and the result is a combined work. In addition, the clinical research of VHIO, translated in multiple clinical trials, the http://bit.ly/2rt4Ziw Biomedical Research in Melanoma Group in VHIR, directed by Dr. Juan A. Recio, focuses on the study of the molecular basis of melanoma progression and resistance to current therapies. His research is focused on the study of the environmental causes and molecular basis of this disease with the purpose of designing preventive and effective therapeutic strategies against melanoma. A very important concept of the studies is that all these works are carried out in proximity to the patient so that the final goal is to move as quickly as possible the discoveries to them.Vall d'Hebron, reference centre leading melanoma treatment and translational researchAt Vall d'Hebron exists for six years, one of these reference units for tackling melanoma, and it is the leader in number of patients included in clinical trials for this disease. This is possible thanks to the team work of the Unit of Skin Tumours, which includes top-level assistance to patients from the time they suspected the diagnosis and surgical treatment carried out by the Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, to that offered by the Medical Oncology Department of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital. In care joins the pioneering research carried out by the Melanoma clinical research group of the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), newly strengthened, plus the recent addition of Dr. Alena Gros to lead research in immunotherapy and the Melanoma Biomedical Research Group of VHIR. This translationality in melanoma research and joint work of these teams involved -dermathology, ophthalmology, ENT, pathological anatomy, plastic surgery, oncology, radiotherapy- is the key of the leadership of the Vall d'Hebron against this disease and results in joint efforts. The Skin Tumours Unit comprises: A committee of skin tumours, an ocular melanoma committee, a determinations of molecular and liquid biopsy laboratory, a group of translational research in close collaboration between researchers and clinical oncologists, to offer the full range of possible treatments based on immunotherapy and/or targeted therapy, as well as multiple clinical trials for treatment available from a standard and metastatic adjuvant.This close multidisciplinary collaboration which combines dermatologists -Drs. Vicenç Domingo Garcia-Patos Bodet-, oncologists -Dr. Eva Muñoz-Couselo-, pathologists -Dr. Berta Ferrer- and basic scientists - Dr. Juan Angel Recio- tries to answer clinically relevant questions, so the results are used to design and/or modify therapeutic strategies (targeted therapies or immunotherapy) new or existing ones that have been previously tested in preclinical studies with the aim of generating a real benefit. In the first instance, one of the strengths of this Vall d'Hebron care begins with prevention campaigns and early diagnosis of skin cancer aimed at the population, to family doctors and pediatricians, followed by urgent care for suspected melanoma, for the diagnosis and its preferential treatment, in addition to the discussion of problematic cases of difficult diagnosis in clinical and pathological sessions, and the committee of tumours. There are other hospitals in Catalonia which have units of reference for the treatment of melanoma, but today, Vall d'Hebron is the reference centre that offers patients a greater number of therapeutic options in the form of clinical trials with metastatic melanoma, with more than 15 clinical trials delivered in Phase I, II or III, as well as being the Spanish centre that incorporates patients in these clinical trials. In addition, the skin tumours unit is the one that performs that a greater number of first visits -75- and second oncological opinions and follow more than 150 patients a year. According to Dr. Eva Muñoz, oncologist that is leading the unit of melanoma since its creation: "all this leads us to be leaders in translational research in melanoma and be able to have access to real time knowledge to help us understand the answers expected or not anomalous to these treatments and look for therapeutic alternatives".Immunotherapy and new treatments aimed for metastatic melanoma have changed the evolution of this diseaseThe new cancer treatments have certainly demonstrated an increase in the survival of patients who receive them. "The specialized and dedicated oncologists for the treatment of melanoma have experienced at the hands of our patients the great revolution that has led to the empowerment of the immunotherapy as a therapeutic strategy, the development of anti-targeting drugs and the deep and constant effort to the knowledge of the molecular genetic alterations of this tumour," says Dr. Eva Muñoz who also leads the research group of Melanoma of the VHIO. "In addition we are living a historic moment with patients who respond to these new treatments in prolonged form and become long survivors. In some cases, we have spent already more than 10 years of follow-up from the beginning of their treatment. This, years ago, was unthinkable." Thanks to reasearch the Ipilimumab was incorporated, the first immunotherapeutic drug that was added to the therapeutic arsenal against metastatic melanoma and, which showed a clear clinical benefit in addition to extend the survival of patients. Later they have known other molecular pathways that regulate immunity in depth, and have appeared two antibodies against of PD-1 that produced an activation of linphocites able to fight effectively against melanoma: pembrolizumab and nivolumab, which have been completed with the first combination of two immuneoncological drugs such as ipilimumab regime + nivolumab. "This combination has opened the doors to the most promising future and tendency to prioritize the combinations between different immunological drugs in order to ensure greater efficiency and number of patients with long survival," says Dr. Muñoz. "With the new research group on tumour immunology and immunotherapy of VHIO, with the Dra. Alena Gros in command, the unit will be greatly strengthened" continues Dr. Muñoz. The combination of drugs has also led to changes in the treatment of these patients. The combination of a BRAF inhibitor drug along with an inhibitor drug of MEK (vemurafenib + cobimetinib, dabrafenib + trametinib) for example has demonstrated increased survival for patients carrying the BRAF directors in monotherapy of BRAF inhibitor drug, today one of the therapies of choice in first line metastatic melanoma in patients and carriers of a mutation in BRAF. The viruses oncolytic T-VEC, also has a couple of years to be administered directly on the tumour although their approval is restricted only to melanoma locally advanced or with only cutaneous disease. The effort of growth of this unit, the teamwork, the spirit of excellence and the desire to offer patients the best treatment options, at all times, have consolidated and have managed a great international recognition, being one of the few European centres with access to very marginal clinical trials.From this year 2017, the Melanoma Research Group in VHIO is a member of the EORTC. Collaborations of projects with schools of the United States have been increased and participates actively in all initiatives of the GEM. All this is reflected also in the increase of publications and participation in the congresses of the specialty. With this commitment to service to the patient, who is ultimately the protagonist and the raison d'être of this unit of Melanoma, is also collaborating with patients associations (Melanoma España) to be able to respond to the needs of those in need at all times.'M of Melanoma'On the occasion of the celebration on May 23, the World Day of Melanoma, the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital will welcome the initiative 'M of Melanoma', a project promoted by the Association of patients Melanoma of España and Novartis Oncology to inform and sensitize the population about melanoma and metastatic melanoma, the most aggressive skin cancer.‘M of Melanoma’ revolves around a touring exhibition that invites visitors to make a complete journey along the basic guide used by experts to detect the existence of risk of melanoma. This tool, based on the ABCDE, helps to analyse the appearance of nevi, or moles on the skin according to the following criteria: asymmetry (A), borders (B), colour (C), diameter (D) and evolution (E). The initiative also includes informative sessions for patients and families.