Melanoma metastases
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Biological insights from primary and metastatic uveal melanoma to uncover surveillance and treatment strategies
IRAS ID
356640
Contact name
Hemant M Kocher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Metastatic disease occurs in >50% patients with uveal melanoma (UM, a specific form of eye cancer) either at presentation or over the next 10 years, and 80-90% of these occurring in the liver. Metastasis typically occurs within a median time frame of 3 years following local treatment of the primary tumour. Once a patient develops metastatic disease, the prognosis becomes poor, with the median survival ranging from 13.5 months. Hence, prevention, early diagnosis and better treatment are urgently required for this rare disease, which is poorly studied due to its rarity.
Methodology:
The purpose of the study is to perform experimental laboratory research on samples of uveal melanoma and metastatic uveal melanoma (UM). The relevant tissue samples will be collected from a pathology archives of respective hospitals from a cohort of uveal melanoma patients in the UK. The samples will be assayed in the laboratories for various biological features in primary and metastatic UM to uncover better surveillance and treatment strategies for metastases from UM.Study duration:
This is a retrospective sample recruitment study for patients already treated for their UM. The samples will be analysed over next 5 years (2026-2031) to develop preliminary data for larger studies. We will seek funding for sample analysis once the samples are available for analysis.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0292
Date of REC Opinion
9 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion