Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
Mel Ziman, Pauline Zaenker, Michael Millward, Tarek Menaiwy, Adnan Khattak, Rob Pearce, Anna Reid, Michelle Pereira, James Freeman and Elin Gray
Edith Cowan University, Australia
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth Australia
Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth Australia
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Exp Dermatol Res
Current methods of melanoma diagnosis and prognosis are at times problematic and limited to observation of tumor tissue by histology or imaging. The analysis of blood based, tumor specific products including autoantibodies, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), now provides early rapid, accurate and quantitative measurements of tumor presence and/or burden. In our studies, we utilized protein arrays, mutation-specific droplet digital PCR and microfluidic devices to measure autoantibodies, mutant tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), respectively, in patients with very early to advanced stage metastatic melanoma. Autoantibodies were detected in very early stage patients (n=150) at significantly higher concentrations than those in healthy controls (n=150). A diagnostic combination of 10 autoantibodies has been identified that can be utilized as an accompaniment to current clinical measures. For metastatic melanoma we utilized ctDNA and CTCs to detect and monitor tumour burden during treatment of patients with targeted therapies (n=47) and/or immunotherapies (n=48). CTCs and/or ctDNA were detected in 70% to 80% of samples prior to treatment. Levels of ctDNA and CTCs decreased in response to therapies, prior to, or concurrently with radiographic response. Moreover, patients with no, or low, levels of ctDNA and CTCs at baseline had significantly longer PFS. In addition, CTC subtypes, including those positive for PDL1, predicted response. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate the utility of blood based liquid biopsies to assist with diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of melanoma patients.
Email: m.ziman@ecu.edu.au