Active clinical trials for "Melanoma"

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma (MM) is increasing worldwide. The best therapeutical solution for MM is early diagnosis and efforts over the last 50 years have been directed towards early and precise diagnoses. Dermoscopy has improved diagnostic accuracy compared to the naked eye, but is limited by an associated higher number of unnecessary excisions. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a novel technique enabling in vivo examination of the skin at cellular-level resolution, with excellent diagnostic accuracy. This study hypothesis is that the systematic application of RCM in the triage and management of patients suspicious for skin cancer, may improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the number of unnecessary biopsy. Reducing the burden of unnecessary surgery excisions should benefit the health system, both in saving surgical and pathology procedural associated costs and reducing the overwhelming waiting lists for excisions and consequent risk for delayed diagnoses.

The purpose of this study is to image pigmented skin lesions suspicious for melanoma with an imaging technology called in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy. This technology uses low intensity laser to image below the surface of the skin. The confocal images of the suspicious skin lesion will be examined. The goal of this study is to compare the results of the confocal image examination to the pathologic diagnosis of the skin lesion. The technique being evaluated in this study uses reflectance confocal microscopy in vivo. The term "in vivo" means in/on a living subject. In this study you will be the living subject and the confocal microscope will be placed on your skin to look at your skin lesion. The confocal microscope uses a weak laser light and a sophisticated lens to image the individual cells that make up the skin. Your lesion will be photographed with high resolution photography.

This is a Phase 3 study in patients with melanoma that has spread to the lymph nodes (stage III), and who have had all of their cancer surgically removed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of the CancerVax™ vaccine to prevent or slow the recurrence of melanoma.

To evaluate the use of superparamagnetic iron oxide (Magtrace®) as a tracer in sentinel node biopsy in malignant melanoma of the extremities, and to evaluate the possible role of Magtrace®-MRI for staging. Primary objective: • To evaluate if Magtrace®/Sentimag® can be used to identify SN in malignant melanoma with the same diagnostically reliability as the currently used method of Technetium 99m and Patent blue. Secondary objectives: • To evaluate if Magtrace®-MRI can predict sentinel node status in melanoma. This is a feasibility phase I, interventional single arm study. All patients included in the study will receive the same management. 20 patients will be included in the study. An enrollment time of 6-12 months is expected. Primary endpoint • To determine the detection rate of Magtrace®/Sentimag® in comparison to SNB using technetium and blue dye in patients with malignant melanoma of the extremities. Secondary endpoint • To evaluate Magtrace®-MRI sensitivity and specificity as a preoperative tool for staging in malignant melanoma.

This randomized clinical trial uses an educational brochure and online tutorial program to assess sun-protective behavior and skin self-examination among African Americans. Skin cancer is very common among African Americans, with a disproportionately high mortality rate. Providing a brochure and an online educational program about sun-protective behaviors may encourage African Americans to take preventative measures against skin cancer, help improve early skin cancer detection, determine how far the disease has spread, and plan the best treatment.

Therapies that target specific molecules markedly inhibit cancer growth in several malignancies, and provide valuable strategies for the treatment of advanced melanoma. In recent years, BRAF and KIT have become established therapeutic targets in melanoma patients showing activating mutations in these oncogenes. However, it is crucial that genetic mutations present in the melanoma lesions are identified if the investigators are to design tailormade therapies for individual patients. The tumour genotypes that determine the selection of molecular-targeted therapies are usually identified in primary tumours; however, primary tumours are not always representative of metastases. Circulating free DNA may be a source of valuable information because it can be obtained via routine blood sampling, it provides real-time information about a patient's current disease state, and it allows monitoring and molecular characterization before and after chemotherapy. The aim of the study is to determine the mutational status in circulating DNA in melanoma metastatic patients, with the Sequenom Mass Array, a next generation sequencing technology. Results obtained before and after treatment will be compared with the primary tumor genotype.

This is an international, multicenter, prospective, non controlled, non randomized, clinical study to collect electrical impedance data of potentially malignant pigmented nevi and histological diagnoses (International Melanoma Algorithm Training Study [IMATS]). The study objective is to collect data for training and optimization of an algorithm that can classify skin lesions using electrical impedance, i.e., to identify malignant melanomas.

This clinical trial compares and contrasts lymph node mapping using indocyanine green (IC-GREEN), isosulfan blue (ISB), and TSC and Lymphoscintigraphy with 99-technetium (99Tc) sulfur colloid (TSC). Study participants with malignant melanoma will undergo all 3 evaluations to assess the extent of the spread of the melanoma.

The proposed study is a pilot and feasibility study designed to develop materials to enhance early detection of melanomas among women at risk to develop melanoma due to indoor tanning, having a family history of melanoma or a personal history of melanoma. The hypothesis of this study is that women, who are engaged in health promotion by having mammograms, will be able to assess the personal relevance of skin self-examination (SSE), be interested in learning about SSE and able to implement SSE while they are partially disrobed in the privacy of the changing room in the mammogram facility.

This research study is designed to better understand the role of genetics, sun-exposure and phenotypic factors in melanoma.