See also

ECU Melanoma Research Group

Melanoma Research Group

The melanoma research group at ECU is developing a blood test for diagnosis and prognosis of melanoma. Thus far the ECU researchers have developed a test that can detect circulating melanoma cells in peripheral blood of patients. The test can be used for diagnostic purposes and has been tested in over 250 patients with a 79% detection rate. Moreover, for the first time world wide the group have detected melanoma stem cells, a highly metastatic melanoma cell, in peripheral blood of patients. Development of a blood test that can detect melanoma cells and stem cells at early stages of the disease has the potential to benefit melanoma sufferers and potential melanoma sufferers worldwide.

Researchers and clinicians associated with the melanoma group are recognised for their scholastic and clinical achievements and for their contributions to raising the profile of melanoma. Now that the group have established the techniques required for circulating melanoma cell detection in peripheral blood the next step is aimed at detection of the genes involved in progression to metastatic disease. Once established, a prognostic test for melanoma could make an enormous contribution to the way patients are monitored and treated.

The melanoma research group focuses on the following key areas:

  • Melanoma detection and prognosis
  • Melanoma stem cell detection
  • Raising awareness of melanoma in the community
  • Collaboration with key researchers and clinicians locally and internationally.

Contact

Associate Professor Mel Ziman
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 5171
Email: m.ziman@ecu.edu.au