uveal-1

Companion diagnostic for cutaneous and uveal melanoma

Problema a Solucionar

Metastases are the leading cause of death in cutaneous and uveal melanoma patients in whom conventional therapies fail. Specific plasma biomarkers to identify patients at high risk of recurrence and help health care professionals take therapeutic decisions, are urgently needed. New therapeutic options are also necessary.

 

Aplicaciones

The invention could be used as a companion diagnostic to help healthcare professionals determine the best therapeutic option for melanoma patients. Doctors could know in advance which patients would probably develop metastasis. As well as, they would have an alternative treatment for those patients that do not have the BRAF V600 mutation or for patients resistant to Vemurafenib.

Estado de la tecnología

1. A group of exosomal miRNAs, which are present in blood and lymphatic torrent of melanoma patients, have been identified as good predictor markers of metastasis. Clinicians of HUB, who have collected blood and plasma samples of patients at different stages of their cancer progression, are now validating these markers. 2. Through an in vitro screening, the research group has selected two proteins as potential inhibitors of tumor progression. These proteins target several signaling pathways related to metastasis and also inhibit the survival of cancer Stem Cells.

Contexto

Malignant melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer. If melanoma is diagnosed in its early stages, resection of the lesion is associated with favorable survival rates. However, melanoma is an aggressive malignancy that tends to metastasize beyond its primary site. Long-term prognosis after metastasis is grim, ranging from 8 to 12 months. BRAFV600 mutation is present in 60% of melanoma. For this reason, Vemurafenib (a highly specific BRAFV600 kinase inhibitor with selectivity against melanoma cells) is the first therapeutic option for these patients. Unfortunately, patients treated with Vemurafenib often develop a therapeutic resistance within 6-8 month of treatment initiation, resulting in disease progression. Uveal melanoma, a rare subset of melanoma, is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Despite effective primary therapy, nearly 50% of patients will develop metastatic disease. Outcomes for those with metastatic disease remain dismal due to a lack of effective therapies.

Tecnología

The research group is developing two technologies: 1. A Prognostic Test to Predict the Risk of Metastasis in Uveal and Cutaneous Melanoma 2. A combination drug therapy for both diseases.

Autores

Fabra A (IDIBELL), Ferreres JR (HUB), Caminal JM (HUB)

Technology Readiness Level

TRL 5

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