Cellular and molecular biology of melanoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cellular and molecular biology of melanoma (including cutaneous, acral and mucosal subtypes).
IRAS ID
234051
Contact name
Antonia Pritchard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the Highlands and Islands
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
9 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Melanoma can occur on the skin (cutaneous), in the eye (uveal), on the soles of the feet/palms of the hand (acral) or on the moist surfaces that line cavities within the body (mucosal). The development of melanoma can be more likely when specific mutations within the DNA are present. In these cases, there are often 'clustering' of melanoma cases within a family. There are several gene mutations already linked to melanoma development (including in the genes: CDKN2A, CDK4, BAP1 and POT1), which account for ~50% of familial clustering.
This project will investigate DNA changes in melanoma patients, and in their tumours, treated at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, and also through self-referral. This will involve taking a family history and collecting blood and tumour samples if available.
These data and samples will be used to investigate a) DNA changes that influence susceptibility to melanoma b) DNA changes within the tumour that drive development and progression c) the patient's immune response to tumour DNA changes. Findings from this study will help identify those at risk of developing melanoma and potential tumour treatment targets.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0046
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion