Predicting Recurrence Outcomes Through Epigenetics, Clinical and Tumour characteristics in Melanoma
Accurately predicting recurrence risk in melanoma patients will enable personalized treatment and increase survival
Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer that causes 80% of skin cancer-related deaths. To improve the care for melanoma patients, Maastricht University and MLA Diagnostics BV have teamed up in a public-private partnership to develop a more accurate and less invasive method for predicting disease outcomes. This project combines advanced biomarker research with clinical insights to create a comprehensive prediction model for melanoma prognosis, potentially replacing the invasive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).
Every year, over 325,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with melanoma, and 57,000 die from the disease. The current SLNB procedure, while widely used, is invasive, costly, and comes with significant risks, including pain and long-term complications. Additionally, 6–28% of patients classified as low risk through SLNB still experience recurrences. This highlights the need for innovative tools to better predict melanoma progression, reduce unnecessary procedures, and provide more personalized treatments.
This project focuses on two main goals: improving biomarker testing and building a prediction model that combines molecular data (e.g., DNA methylation markers) with clinical and pathological information. Using advanced laboratory techniques, the team will measure these markers in melanoma samples from 378 patients and analyze their potential to predict disease outcomes. By integrating this data, the model aims to give clinicians a clearer picture of each patient's prognosis, improving treatment decisions.
The project will deliver a highly efficient biomarker test and a validated prediction model for clinical use. These tools will enable doctors to provide individualized care, sparing patients from unnecessary surgeries and side effects, while also cutting healthcare costs. By advancing melanoma care, this project aligns with the broader mission to improve patient survival, quality of life, and the overall efficiency of cancer treatments.
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