Analysis of the immunlogical and genetic landscape of vulvar melanoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Analysis of the immune tumour micro-environment and the mutational landscape of vulvar malignant melanoma(VMM)
IRAS ID
275552
Contact name
Khadra Galaal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leiden University Medical Centre
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Vulvar malignant melanoma (VMM) is a rare type of malignancy responsible for less than 1% of the female genital tract cancers. VMM is characterized by low survival rates and high recurrence rates. Also, due to its aggressive character it requires extensive surgical resection in a challenging anatomic location. This may lead to disfigurement and loss of body image impairing quality of life of survivors. Due to its rarity and small case series being published, the diagnostic approach, treatment strategies and follow-up of VMM are mainly based on that of cutaneous melanomas. Possible genetic drivers of VMM are still unknown. These could be of prognostic value and may be of importance when considering targeted therapy as potential treatment. Moreover the T-cell response specifically targeting the tumour in VMM has not yet been analysed. As in cutaneous melanoma this may serve as therapeutic target in metastatic disease and. We therefore aim to evaluate the clinical, histological characteristics, mutational profile, tumour-specific T-cell immunity and the treatment outcomes in order to identify as prognostic factors for recurrence and survival in a large retrospective multi-centre cohort study.
We will include all patients diagnosed with a primary vulvar melanoma in the Leiden Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands, Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen, the Netherlands, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, the Netherlands, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, the Netherlands, Erasmus Medical Centre, the Netherlands, Royal Cornwall hospital, Truro, UK, Plymouth hospital, Plymouth, UK, and Gateshead hospital, Gateshead, UK.REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SW/0082
Date of REC Opinion
6 May 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion