We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Biomarker Detects Active Melanoma and Predicts Survival

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 25 Jul 2018
Print article
Image: A malignant melanoma of the skin (Photo courtesy of National Cancer Institute).
Image: A malignant melanoma of the skin (Photo courtesy of National Cancer Institute).
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, these cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells, which is most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds, triggers mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.

A substantial number of melanoma patients develop local or metastatic recurrence, and early detection of these is vital to maximize benefit from new therapies such as immune checkpoints or inhibitors of specific genes. If melanoma is recognized and treated early, it is almost always curable, but if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal.

Clinical Oncologists and their colleagues at the University of Sheffield (Sheffield, UK) explored the use of novel DNA copy-number profiles in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a potential biomarker of active disease and survival. Melanoma patients were recruited from oncology and dermatology clinics, and cfDNA was isolated from stored blood plasma. The team used low-coverage whole-genome sequencing, and created copy-number profiles from cfDNA from 83 melanoma patients, 44 of who had active disease.

The scientists found that the copy-number aberration score (CNAS) was a good discriminator of active disease (odds ratio = 3.1), and CNAS above or below the 75th percentile remained a significant discriminator in multivariable analysis for active disease. Additionally, mortality was higher in those with CNASs above the 75th percentile than in those with lower scores (Hazard Ratio (HR) =3.4) adjusting for stage of disease, disease status (active or resected), BRAF status, and cfDNA concentration.

The authors concluded that their study demonstrates the potential of a de novo approach utilizing copy-number profiling of cfDNA as a biomarker of active disease and survival in melanoma. Longitudinal analysis of copy-number profiles as an early marker of relapsed disease is warranted. The study was published in June 2018 in the journal Clinical Chemistry.

Related Links:
University of Sheffield

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Cancer Mutation Profiling Liquid Kit
OncoScreen Plus

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.