Novel in vitro diagnosis or prognosis of malignant melanoma

A Spanish university together with a genomics research institute have identified a new group of single nucleotide polymorphisms related to the risk and aggressiveness of malignant melanoma. An in vitro method was developed for the diagnosis or prognosis of malignant melanoma and to determine whether these patients respond adequately to a treatment. The entities are looking for companies working in the field of oncology interested in licensing this patented technology.

Malignant melanoma (MM), whose prevalence has been increasing in recent years, is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and represents the leading cause of death from skin diseases. The intratumoral heterogeneity and the complexity of the current status of germline mutations in this type of cancer make it complex to design therapeutic strategies. In this sense, there is a medical need to find reliable biomarkers for an early diagnosis and prognosis of MM, which will facilitate adequate monitoring of the disease, a correct choice of treatment and the control of its subsequent response. In this sense, researchers from a Spanish university and a genomics research institute have identified eight risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs are related to melanoma, proposing them for use as biomarkers and gene signatures of this condition, aiding earlier identification and thus shortening the time to initiation of treatment. These promising markers form the basis of the in vitro method developed that allows a diagnosis of MM in patients at risk or with signs of suffering it from a simple biological sample (skin tissue, saliva, blood, urine, serum or plasma). As well, it assesses whether patients who are being treated respond to such therapy. Thus, the presence of at least one of these SNPs or a high expression level in specific genes are considered indications that the individual has MM, has a poor prognosis or is responding poorly to treatment. Therefore, this method is an aid to improve precision medicine for MM patients and their closest relatives. Both entities are looking for partners from companies related to diagnostic testing in the field of oncology and malignant melanoma, which are interested in licensing this technology.