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Project Description

Please note that we are a research service provider, not a pharmacy or clinic, so we are unable to see patients and do not offer diagnostic and treatment services for individuals.

Conjunctival Melanomas

Conjunctival melanoma (CoM) is a highly aggressive ocular malignancy that originates from the melanocytes of the conjunctiva. Protheragen offers comprehensive diagnostics and therapeutics development services for conjunctival melanoma. Our services include advanced molecular diagnostics, biomarker discovery, and the development of targeted therapies and immunotherapies.

Overview of Conjunctival Melanomas

Conjunctival melanoma (CoM) is a rare but aggressive ocular surface malignancy caused by malignancy of the melanocytes situated in the conjunctiva. It comprises an estimated 2% of all ocular malignancies and 5-7% of all melanomas. CoM, though uncommon, presents significant challenges due to its likelihood of local recurrence, metastasis, and lower prognosis. The tumor usually manifests as a pigmented and non-pigmented lesion in the bulbar conjunctiva, often accompanied by redness, irritation, or a mass.

Schematic representation of the area of the conjunctiva affected by melanoma.

Fig.1 Regions of the conjunctiva affected by melanoma. (Chang E., et al., 2023)

Diagnostic Methods for Conjunctival Melanomas

Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics

The diagnosis of CoM relies heavily on mutations identified via genetic testing, which is the starting point for all and sundry at CoM. Molecular characterization of CoM tumours is done through next-generation sequencing (NGS), which captures BRAF, NRAS, and TERT mutations.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

Markers that are routinely used to substantiate the diagnosis of CoM include S-100, HMB-45, and Melan-A. In addition, IHC can also be used for evaluating the expression of immune checkpoint molecules which can provide insight on the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

Therapeutics Development for Conjunctival Melanomas

Targeted Therapies
Targeted therapies seem to hold promise for CoM therapeutics by utilizing the genetic alterations that enhance tumorigenesis. Vemurafenib and dabrafenib BRAF inhibitors, for example, have been noted to be particularly efficacious among the cases suffering from BRAF-mutant CoM. These targeted agents block the functional activities of mutant BRAF proteins, thus impeding the oncogenic signaling pathways.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy represents previously unattained therapeutic options for CoM by leveraging the tumor's immunological aspects. Checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) and ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) have had good clinical trial results. These drugs have a mechanism of action that involves blockage of immune checkpoint inhibitory signals, which facilitates the anti-tumor immune response.

Table 1. Therapeutics of conjunctival melanomas.

Therapeutics	Description	Target	Research Stage
Vemurafenib	BRAF inhibitors are used to treat melanomas with BRAF V600E mutations. Reduces tumor growth and spread.	BRAF V600E mutation	Approved
Dabrafenib	BRAF inhibitors are often combined with trametinib for enhanced efficacy in BRAF-mutated melanomas.	BRAF V600E/K mutations	Approved
Trametinib	MEK inhibitors are used in combination with BRAF inhibitors to block the MAPK pathway in melanoma.	MEK1/MEK2	Approved
Imatinib	KIT inhibitors are used in cases of conjunctival melanoma with KIT mutations.	KIT mutation	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.

Our Services

Protheragen offers comprehensive therapeutics development and preclinical research services tailored to the unique challenges of CoM. Our services encompass genetic and molecular diagnostics and immunohistochemical analysis. By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, we provide robust preclinical data to inform the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics.

Diagnostics Development

Karyotype Analysis Service
Omics Analysis Service
Biomarker Development Service
Artificial Intelligence Service

Therapeutic Development

Small Molecule Drug
Cell Therapy
Gene Therapy
Therapeutic Antibody
Therapeutic Peptide
Therapeutic Protein

Preclinical Research

Pharmacodynamics Study Services
Pharmacokinetics Study Services
Drug Safety Evaluation Services

Disease Models

Spontaneous Epibulbar Dermoid Canine Models
PTCH1 Mutation Rodent Models
Dermoid Tissue Implantation Rabbit Models
Genetic Engineering Non-Human Primate Models

Protheragen offers customized in vitro and in vivo model development services to support conjunctival melanoma research. Our in vitro services include 2D and 3D cell culture models, organoid cultures, and co-culture systems to mimic the tumor microenvironment. For in vivo studies, we provide xenograft, syngeneic, and GEMMs tailored to specific research needs. Our models are validated for reproducibility and relevance to human disease, ensuring reliable preclinical data. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

References

Chang, Emily, Hakan Demirci, and F. Yesim Demirci. "Genetic Aspects of Conjunctival Melanoma: A Review." Genes 14.9 (2023): 1668.
Mikkelsen, Lauge Hjorth. Molecular biology in conjunctival melanoma and the relationship to mucosal melanoma. Diss. 2020.
Brouwer, Niels J., et al. "Conjunctival melanoma: New insights in tumor genetics and immunology, leading to new therapeutic options." Progress in Retinal and Eye Research 86 (2022): 100971.