Multi-Omics Profiling in Conjunctival Melanoma (Co-M)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Spatial Multi-Omics Profiling in Conjunctival Melanoma (Co-M) and its Precursor Lesions
IRAS ID
341055
Contact name
Yamini Krishna
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, Ronald Finn Fellowship
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Conjunctival melanoma (Co-M) is a rare but potentially deadly eye surface cancer. It is often misdiagnosed or overlooked leading to late diagnosis. Co-M can cause sight loss and even eye loss impacting quality-of-life. The numbers of new cases globally are rising at alarming rates.
There is no standard treatment for Co-M. Management varies between eye cancer centres, and those therapies given tend to be very toxic to the eye with severe associated complications or lead to significant facial disfigurement – with loss of the eyeball and eyelids. In about a quarter of cases, the cancer spreads to elsewhere in the body, which can lead to death.
Improvement in Co-M treatment is hindered because little is known about the underlying biology of its early stages (i.e., its precursors). These are termed conjunctival melanocytic intraepithelial lesions (Co-MIL) and conjunctival melanoma in situ (Co-MIS). Of these early lesions ~70% will progress to invasive Co-M.
In this study, we aim to better understand the molecular changes underpinning Co-M development. This is an essential step to improve methods for diagnosis, and to identify novel targeted therapies/’precision or personalised medicine’ for earlier treatment than is currently practised. We will achieve this by using ‘state-of-the-art’ techniques that demonstrate which genes and proteins are active in which stages of Co-M, and in what part of the tumour.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/WM/0117
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion