Feasibility of using CTA as prognostic feature for MCC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation into the feasibility of using Calculated Tumour Area as a prognostic feature in Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin.
IRAS ID
300051
Contact name
Carolyn Maloney
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 0 days
Research summary
This study will investigate the feasibility of using a novel histological feature in a type of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Histopathologists are doctors who look at tissue samples that include those from cancer, where they measure features under the microscope that correlate with outcome. These can be used to help colleagues in the cancer care team decide on best clinical management. In melanoma, a type of skin cancer, a histopathologist measures a feature called Breslow thickness (BT). This involves measuring the deepest penetration into skin by tumour cells. BT is a powerful predictor of melanoma outcome and is the gold standard histological feature for predicting outcome. We recently devised a brand new histological feature that we named Calculated Tumour Area (CTA). CTA is measured on the same histological section as BT measurement, scoring the approximate area occupied by melanoma cells. Our published data on 1,560 patients from Leicester and Nottingham found that CTA was more powerful at predicting outcome than BT. The method to measure CTA is very simple and could easily be used in different types of cancer. The purpose of the present study is to test the feasibility of applying CTA to MCC. Although rare, MCC has a very poor prognosis. We aim to determine whether the method we devised for melanoma is suitable for use with MCC too. We will then determine whether different observers get the same result (i.e. inter-rater agreement) and finally we will seek preliminary data about whether CTA correlates with MCC outcome. If we can use CTA for MCC this would justify a bigger study to better determine CTA’s association with MCC outcome. It would also be proof of principle for measuring CTA in other types of cancer.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/1130
Date of REC Opinion
31 Aug 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion