Mayo Clinic, TGen launch melanoma research collaboration with universities

Monday, June 30, 2003

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Melanoma is the subject of the first collaboration among four top Arizona research groups, officials announced today.

More than 30 investigators and clinicians from the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Arizona State University and University of Arizona met today at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, to begin their in-depth examination of melanoma. The participants focused on drafting a strategic plan to structure the collaboration.

"With the wealth of expertise available in Arizona, we can expect to make significant strides in expanding our understanding of melanoma. Given the severity of the disease in our home state, this collaboration is a top priority for TGen and its partners," said Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D., TGen president and scientific director.

Melanoma is the most serious type of cancer of the skin. Every year, nearly 54,000 people in the United States learn they have melanoma, and in 2002 alone, an estimated 7,400 people died of the disease. The incidence of melanoma is significantly higher in Arizona than in the rest of the United States.

"Melanoma has consistently been among the top three most prevalent types of cancers seen at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale," said Laurence J. Miller, M.D., Director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center - Scottsdale. "Our discussions today with colleagues from TGen and the universities will augment the ongoing work of our multidisciplinary melanoma team whose focus is providing the latest diagnostic and treatment options to our patients."

The purpose of today's meeting was to provide an overview of each institution's capabilities and structure the direction of the melanoma project. Topics included cancer genetics, application of genome technology to the study of metastatic melanoma and clinical options for advanced disease.

The participants also named a working group that will finalize the strategic plan. Investigators at TGen, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and Arizona State University already have submitted a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health to use molecular genetics and new technology to predict clinical responses to immunotherapy for melanoma.

TGen, Mayo Clinic, ASU and U of A also will work collaboratively on additional topics in the future, officials said.

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