Melanoma Video Clip

RECOUNTS HAVE DIVIDED AMERICANS BEFORE. >> PETER ALEXANDER IN THE D.C. NEWSROOM TONIGHT. PETER, THANKS. >>> THERE IS MORE ENCOURAGING NEWS COMING OUT OF THE CONVENTION OF CANCER SPECIALISTS UNDER WAY NOW IN CHICAGO. TONIGHT, IT CONCERNS A NEW TYPE OF DRUG FOR MELANOMA. WHICH CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO TREAT ONCE IT SPREADS BEYOND A SKIN LESION. OUR REPORT TONIGHT FROM OUR CHIEF SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT ROBERT BAZELL. >> Reporter: PAMELA MADDOX, A RETIRED TEACHER WHO LOVES TO GARDEN AND AT 57 IS QUITE HEALTHY. TWO YEARS AGO SHE WAS CLOSE TO DEATH FROM ADVANCED MELANOMA UNTIL SHE GOT AN EXPERIMENTAL DRUG WHICH TARGETS CANCER GENES. >> IT'S KIND OF LIKE BEING GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS IS GOING TO LAST. HOPEFULLY, IT IS A LONG-TERM THING. >> Reporter: RESULTS PRESENTED AT THIS CANCER CONFERENCE TODAY, SHOW HER DRUG, TRAMETINIB, CUT PROGRESSION OF MELANOMA IN 300 PATIENTS BY 55%. ALSO AT THE CONFERENCE, A DIFFERENT DRUG THAT ENHANCES IMMUNE RESPONSE TO MELANOMA AND OTHER CANCERS, SHOWED PROMISING RESULTS. BOTH DRUGS WILL HEAD TO THE FDA FOR APPROVAL. IN THE WAKE OF TWO OTHER DRUGS RECENTLY OKAYED FOR ADVANCED MELANOMA. >> NOW WE HAVE MULTIPLE NEW TREATMENTS WE KNOW CAN BE GAME CHANGERS IN A PROFOUND WAY. >> Reporter: ALTHOUGH DOCTORS AT THIS CONFERENCE RECOGNIZE THE SUCCESS STORIES LIKE THE INCREASING ABILITY TO FIGHT ADVANCED MELANOMA, THEY KNOW THERE ARE BIG CHALLENGES AHEAD LIKE FIGHTING LUNG CANCER, ADVANCED BREAST AND COLON CANCER. ANOTHER CHALLENGE, A CONTINUING SHORTAGE OF MANY CANCER DRUGS. >> HOW YOU FEELING TODAY? >> Reporter: WHILE NEW DRUGS OFTEN COST $100,000 A YEAR OR MORE, THE SUCCESSFUL OLDER DRUGS THAT MANY PATIENTS LIKE 15-YEAR-OLD SONA LI VERMA RELY ON COST ONLY HUNDREDS AND THEY REMAIN IN CRITICALLY SHORT SUPPLY. >> THESE DRUGS THAT ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY ARE PRIMARILY DRUGS THAT ARE OLDER, FAIRLY CHEAP IN TERMS OF PURCHASING THEM AND NOT MUCH OF A PROFIT MARGIN FOR THE COMPANIES. >> Reporter: THE FDA HAS NO AUTHORITY TO TELL DRUG COMPANIES WHAT TO MAKE. CANCER DOCTORS WANT LEGISLATION SO THE GOVERNMENT CAN STEM THE SHORTAGES. ROBERT BAZELL, NBC NEWS, CHICAGO.