Eric Martin is a melanoma warrior who has been fighting skin cancer since 2011. It all started with a scab-like spot on his back. At first, he ignored it, thinking it would just go away. But, unfortunately, it didn't. When it began to change colors and start to bleed, Eric decided it was time to meet a dermatologist.
Eric described his first dermatologist appointment day as the worst day of his life. He explained, “I was surrounded by posters of melanoma. They looked just like the mark on my back."
"What’s next? Am I going to die?" Many desperate thoughts raced through his mind. Eric had never been treated with any serious medical issues in his life, and he was truly frightened. He was referred to an oncologist for melanoma treatments and was told that he had a 50% chance of recovering. Eric put his game face on. He wanted to find the best healthcare professional for his condition and was able to connect with Dr. Gregory Daniels at the University of California San Diego Morris Cancer Center.
Eric started his treatments with surgery and adjuvant interferon, but by 2012 scans showed 20 small tumors all over his liver. At this point, his oncologist suggested he enroll in a clinical trial investigating tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) therapy at the National Institutes of Health.
Eric enrolled in the clinical trial and had incredible results. He was categorized as a complete responder, meaning that all signs of cancer were gone, but he wasn't necessarily cured.
Sure enough, a year later Eric found three melanoma spots on his right pectoral. He immediately started his second clinical trial which was studying the investigational combination of nivolumab + ipilimumab. Unfortunately, he had a bad reaction to the ipilimumab and it was discontinued from his treatment regimen. Although nivolumab and surgery kept the tumors controlled for some time, eventually the melanoma returned and this time the tumors were visible under his skin.