Molecular Epidemiology of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma

June 29, 2020 updated by: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

This case-control study was planned to investigate the link of solar radiation with gene damage, host factors, and DNA repair proficiency in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) risk. The hypothesis was that impaired DNA repair proficiency is associated with an increased risk of CMM due to unrepaired DNA damage, particularly in subjects with dysplastic nevi, poor tanning ability or genetic susceptibility.

The study was reviewed as an RO1 Grant from the National Cancer Institute in 1995. Subject enrollment, which included clinical evaluation, epidemiologic questionnaires, and skin and blood sample collection, was completed in 1999 on approximately 180 melanoma cases and 180 controls identified in Italy. The study protocol and consent form both included the measurement of genetic and biochemical factors and DNA repair capacity. DNA repair proficiency was measured in lymphocytes by the host cell reactivation assay, and sun exposure was evaluated by means of a detailed questionaire. Photographs of the back of the subjects were taken to allow nevi count. Minimal erythemal dosage was measured in all subjects to estimate skin sun sensitivity 24 hours after skin's UV-irradiation. Skin color was ascertained on the inner side of the forearm by means of a Minolta chromometer.

The aim of this protocol is to continue analysis of the biological samples already collected, as originally outlined in the study protocol. In particular, we plan to measure polymorphisms in genes that may lead to susceptibility to melanoma. Initially we will concentrate on variation in genes involved in repairing damaged DNA, but plan to look at a broad group of candidate susceptibility genes.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

The original case-control study was planned to investigate the link of solar radiation with gene damage, host factors, including also genetic variants, and DNA repair proficiency in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) risk, in subjects from the Mediterranean area, characterized by a wide range of pigmentary characteristics and intense sun exposure. This study was reviewed and funded as an R01 grant from the National Cancer Institute in 1995. Subject enrollment, which included clinical evaluation, epidemiologic questionnaires, and skin and blood sample collection, was completed in 1999 on approximately 180 melanoma cases and 180 controls identified in Italy. The study protocol and consent form both included the measurement of genetic and biochemical factors, and DNA repair capacity. DNA repair proficiency was measured in lymphocytes by the host cell reactiviation assay, and sun exposure was evaluated by means of a detailed questionnaire. Minimal erythemal dosage was measured in all subjects to estimate skin sun sensitivity 24 hours after skin's UVirradiation. Skin color was ascertained on the inner side of the forearm by means of a minolta chromometer.

The aim of this protocol was to continue the analysis of the biological samples and data already collected, as originally outlined in the study protocol. However, the original sample size was small and precluded specific analyses of gene-environment interaction crucial for the understanding of the etiology of melanoma. We have identified other collaborators willing to share their data and sample with us to increase the power for statistical analyses. We obtained approval (amendments to 02-C-N035 approved in November 2006, September 2008, December 2010, and June 2011) to use the DNA samples and data collected in four studies conducted by investigators at the University of L'Aquila, Italy, University of Genoa, Italy, Istituto Valenciano de Oncologia, Valencia, Spain, and the New York University School of Medicine, respectively. We have obtained approval with stipulations in August 2014 to also include samples and data collected from the Papa Giovanni XXII Hospital in Bergamo, Italy and the University of Athens, Greece. We are now responding to the stipulations and asking to further include samples from the University of Padua and the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona within the same study.

We are currently analyzing genes in several pathways, including pigmentation, DNA repair, immune-related functions and those involved in the transition from nevi to melanoma (genes in the cell cycle, telomere, signaling pathways, etc). With the additional samples we plan to conduct a GWAS analysis of melanoma in Mediterranean countries and a molecular analysis of melanoma tissue lesions for an improved classification of the disease and its association with melanoma progression.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

15401

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Maryland
      • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
        • National Cancer Institute (NCI), 9000 Rockville Pike

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 100 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Cases from hospitals; Controls from the general populations

Description

  • Analysis on samples already collected.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Other
  • Time Perspectives: Retrospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
1
Cases from hospitals
2
Controls from the general populations
3
Biological Samples

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Genome-wide association studies, environmental and somatic analyses
Time Frame: Ongoing
To identify genes, host and environmental factors that lead to susceptibility to melanoma.
Ongoing

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 1, 2001

Primary Completion (Actual)

September 26, 2007

Study Completion (Actual)

June 26, 2020

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 19, 2006

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 19, 2006

First Posted (Estimate)

June 21, 2006

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 30, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 29, 2020

Last Verified

June 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 999902035
  • 02-C-N035

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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