Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Melanoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Melanoma; Progression, Response and Resistance to Therapy
IRAS ID
337000
Contact name
Rebecca Lee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
15 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer with increased incidence in the UK. Treatments for melanoma have significantly improved over the last decade, however some patients still progress and die from their disease.
The study will help us to better understand the biology and biomarkers of melanoma mechanisms, progression and to interrogate response and resistance to therapy. This will enable us to identify new treatments and develop better treatment strategies to enhance survival for patients with melanoma. In addition we want to better understand which patients will benefit from certain therapies e.g. immune therapy, in order to develop more personalised approaches to therapy. Better biomarkers will enable us to avoid side effects in those who will not benefit from treatment and identify those patients who will require escalation of therapy to improve outcomes.
We will collect and analyse serial tumour samples, blood samples and other optional samples including stool and mouth swabs. Samples will be collected from patients with melanoma either early stage or advanced melanoma. We will also include samples taken in a previous clinical study in our collection. Analyses will include genomic, proteomic, metabolomic and/or cell phenotyping techniques.
Samples will be collected at NHS sites - The Christie, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS trust, and analysed in collaboration with the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), The University of Manchester laboratories, The Francis Crick Institute and laboratories in the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute including but not limited to the National Biomarker Centre.
This study will recruit patients over a ten-year period and follow up each patient for five years. The end of study is defined as 12 months from the date when the last patient recruited has completed their last follow up visit (5 years post recruitment). This study is funded by support from Christie Charity and NIHR.REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0498
Date of REC Opinion
12 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion