Another grant for ocular melanoma research
Dr Sarah Coupland and Professor Bertil Damato have been granted £3000 from University Research Development Funds and £1500 by the Department of Pathology for research into genetic mutations in ocular melanoma.
In the 1990's, it was discovered that ocular melanomas develop mutations that correlate strongly with survival probability. These mutations are not present in the rest of the body and are not inherited or passed on to the next generation.
Since 1999, the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre has routinely offered patients genetic analysis of their melanoma if they had tumour removed as part of their treatment. Investigation of chromosome 3, chromosome 8, and chromosome 6 enables us to determine whether or not the melanoma is life-threatening. However, the technique we are currently using, known as FISH, is expensive, time-consuming and only about 90% accurate at detecting 'good' melanomas.
A new laboratory test has recently been developed, which is known as MLPA (multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification). This is more reliable than FISH, because it provides information on about 100 mutations on a large number of chromosomes. It is also less expensive. Another advantage is that it works not only with fresh tumour tissue but also with old, archival tissue.
In this research project, we will be comparing MLPA with FISH, to validate the technique. We will also investigate whether MLPA identifies any mutations in the small number of patients who have died despite a false-normal FISH result.
Another important aim is to determine whether a small sample obtained from a large melanoma is representative of the entire tumour. If so, then this will make it easier for us to biopsy all melanomas, even those treated with radiotherapy instead of resection. Such analysis will extend the benefits of precise prognostication to all patients. Those with a good prognosis will no doubt feel greatly relieved whereas those with a poor prognosis can be referred to an oncologist for further investigation and treatment.
In the 1990's, it was discovered that ocular melanomas develop mutations that correlate strongly with survival probability. These mutations are not present in the rest of the body and are not inherited or passed on to the next generation.
Since 1999, the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre has routinely offered patients genetic analysis of their melanoma if they had tumour removed as part of their treatment. Investigation of chromosome 3, chromosome 8, and chromosome 6 enables us to determine whether or not the melanoma is life-threatening. However, the technique we are currently using, known as FISH, is expensive, time-consuming and only about 90% accurate at detecting 'good' melanomas.
A new laboratory test has recently been developed, which is known as MLPA (multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification). This is more reliable than FISH, because it provides information on about 100 mutations on a large number of chromosomes. It is also less expensive. Another advantage is that it works not only with fresh tumour tissue but also with old, archival tissue.
In this research project, we will be comparing MLPA with FISH, to validate the technique. We will also investigate whether MLPA identifies any mutations in the small number of patients who have died despite a false-normal FISH result.
Another important aim is to determine whether a small sample obtained from a large melanoma is representative of the entire tumour. If so, then this will make it easier for us to biopsy all melanomas, even those treated with radiotherapy instead of resection. Such analysis will extend the benefits of precise prognostication to all patients. Those with a good prognosis will no doubt feel greatly relieved whereas those with a poor prognosis can be referred to an oncologist for further investigation and treatment.
posted by Liverpool Ocular Oncology Service at
5:23 PM
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