A National Melanoma Tissue Repository for Public/Private Research
Skin of Steel is collaborating with AIM at Melanoma to secure funding for the nation's first repository of primary melanoma tissue. The repository will be administered by the following medical research institutions, with the option of adding a Chicago institution if funding is identified:
- Walter Reed Medical Research Center
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- The Huntsman Cancer Institute
- California Pacific Medical Center (a provider of the Sutter Health Network)
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1. WHY is this repository needed?
A national repository network of annotated
fresh frozen primary melanoma tissue is the fundamental research tool
that
does not exist yet for public or private research.
Major advances, particularly within Breast and Prostate Cancer, resulted from
similar repositories. Consequently
melanoma research lags significantly behind the progress that has been made in
other cancer research.
2. HOW will this repository differ from existing repositories? Several individual melanoma tissue
repositories already exist at research institutions. Most lack "fresh
frozen" samples of "primary" tumor tissue with not
only preserved DNA but also RNA.
They also lack the network necessary to provide a national sample pool
of sufficient size, demographics and full annotation for effective
research. Susceptibility, diagnostic and
prognostic biomarkers for melanoma are anticipated from the research
generated by the repository network, leading to more effective personalized
diagnostics, preemptive treatment and targeted therapies.
3. WHAT are the goals of the repository? To establish a national network of melanoma tissue repository sites at 4 medical research institutions across the U.S. Each site is recognized for its proven commitment to melanoma research. This network will gather 400 samples with full annotation and accompanying blood and urine samples over two years. It will yield 40,000 assays for research. Both public and private medical researchers engaged in qualified research will be able to access the repository for minimal administrative fees.
4. HOW much funding does the repository need? A total of $2.8M covers the first three years of start up and maintenance. Thereafter the financial needs are minimal and can be covered by administrative fees &/or funds from multiple pharmaceutical or diagnostics firms. Such firms cannot provide the initial funds because they demand proprietary rights that would negate access by other researchers. An initial donor has already come forth in hopes that others will follow.
Research on one of the most
genetically complex cancers has enough laboratories. Now the right tissue specimens are needed to change
the landscape of melanoma.
| Chicago Briefing on how this Repository could change the landscape of Melanoma Treatment and Research BRIEFING SUMMARY BRIEFING Q&A (1st set) BRIEFING Q&A (2nd set) For more information on how your can help make this repository a reality please contact: or To learn more about AIM at Melanoma please click below:
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