Biomarker for Class 1 Uveal Melanoma Correlates with Metastatic Disease
Source: Oncology Nurse Advisor, March 2016
A new biomarker measurement might improve the accuracy of prognostic testing and precision medicine in uveal melanoma, according to a study published in Clinical Cancer Research.1
Higher rates of metastasis in patients with class 1 uveal melanoma were correlated with the presence of the mRNA biomarker known as PRAME, or preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma. These findings suggested that patients with the PRAME biomarker should be monitored more closely
This study assessed whether any biomarkers are associated with class 1 uveal melanoma metastasis. Typically, class 1 uveal melanoma has a lower risk of metastatic disease. Gene expression profiling can distinguish between class 1 and class 2 uveal melanoma. Patients with class 1 uveal melanoma continue, nonetheless, to have a risk of developing metastatic disease.
“About 10% of patients with class 1 uveal melanoma do develop metastasis. The main purpose of this study was to identify a clinically useful biomarker for this subgroup of class 1 uveal melanomas, which in turn might help in the development of precision medicines for melanoma patients,” said J. William Harbour, MD, associate director for Basic Research and leader of the Eye Cancer Site Disease Group at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.