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- Choroidal Melanoma
Choroidal melanoma stands as one of the rarest yet most aggressive cancers out there. It arises from the bone marrow-derived pigment-producing melanocytes located in the choroid layer of the eye. At Protheragen, we focus on contributing to choroidal melanoma therapeutics research and development. Our holistic services and novel business model position us at the cutting edge of scientific innovation and therapeutic development.
Choroidal melanoma's origins stem from the deeper regions of the eyes, as the choroid layer of the uveal tract contains melanocytes. This type of cancer affects five percent of all melanoma cases. In adults, this is the most dangerous lesion which is highly metastatic, and it is a known fact that this tumor remains asymptomatic for a long. Like other tumors of this nature, it, too, has a high risk of positive metastasis with 50% of other cases marked for dead metastases after a decade without intervention. The liver is the most common secondary target.
Fig.1 High-power microscopic observation of choroidal melanoma. (Frossard J. C., et al., 2020)Major changes in the choroidal melanoma's genome involve mutations in GNAQ and GNA11 genes. These alterations occur in most choroidal melanomas but do not carry any significant prognostic value. Even more critical genetic aberration is the monosomy of chromosome 3, which correlates greatly with aggressive disease, heightened risk for metastasis, and when combined with polysomy of chromosome 8q, serves as a potent indicator of aggressive disease.
Genetic Analysis and Gene-Expression Profiling
Diagnosis and prognostication of choroidal melanoma have gradually integrated genetic analysis techniques like gene-expression profiling and cytogenetic studies into their processes. Class one and class two tumors can be differentiated by gene expression profiling. Class 1 tumors are less likely to metastasize than class 2 tumors. Cytogenetic studies like fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) can reveal chromosomal abnormalities, like monosomy 3 and polysomy 8q, which have negative prognostic value.
Metastatic choroidal melanoma remains an area where therapeutic options are still deficient. Systemic chemotherapies don't seem to do the trick, as the likelihood of them working seems to be between 0% and 15%. New developments include targeted therapies and immunotherapies. One example is Selumetinib which is a selective kinase inhibitor. It has been shown to have better response rates as well as better progression-free survival in cases with metastatic choroidal melanoma than traditional chemotherapies. Sadly, the overall survival rate is still low, emphasizing the importance of more research and effective therapeutic options.
| Therapeutics | Target | Description | Research Stage |
| Ipilimumab, Nivolumab | Immune checkpoints (CTLA-4, PD-1) | These drugs work by enhancing the body's immune response to the tumor. | Clinical Trials |
| Vemurafenib | BRAF gene mutations | Vemurafenib targets the BRAF mutation, which is common in choroidal melanoma. | Clinical Trials |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research service. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.
At Protheragen, we offer a full range of support services that aid in the development of new inventions in choroidal melanoma diagnostics and therapeutics. With our cutting-edge technology and an experienced team of scientists are committed to providing reliable and quality results to our clients, all of which serve as contributions towards fighting against this disease.
Protheragen's preclinical research services include high-throughput drug screening and efficacy studies to identify and validate potential therapeutic candidates. We offer a range of in vitro and in vivo models to assess the efficacy and safety of novel therapeutics for choroidal melanoma, ensuring that our clients have access to the latest scientific advancements. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
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