Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Cancer > Melanoma (2)
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes predominantly occur in the skin but can be found elsewhere, especially the eye. The vast majority of melanomas originate in the skin. Melanomas are the most lethal form of skin cancer. As with most forms of cancer, earlier detection gives patients a better chance of survival.
Causes
Epidemiologic studies from Australia suggest that exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the major contributors to the development of melanoma. This radiation causes errors in the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) of cells, making them go through Mitosis (cell division) at an unhealthy rate. Occasional extreme sun exposure (resulting in "sunburn") is causally related to melanoma. Those with more chronic long term exposure (outdoor workers) may develop protective mechanisms. Melanoma is most common on the back in men and on legs in women (areas of intermittent sun exposure) and is more common in indoor workers than outdoor workers (in a British study). Other factors are mutations in or total loss of tumor suppressor genes. Use of sunbeds (with deeply penetrating UVA rays) has been linked to the development of skin cancers, including melanoma.
Possible significant elements in determining risk include the intensity and duration of sun exposure, the age at which sun exposure occurs, and the degree of skin pigmentation. Exposure during childhood is a more important risk factor than exposure in adulthood. This is seen in migration studies in Australia where people tend to retain the risk profile of their country of birth if they migrate to Australia as an adult. Individuals with blistering or peeling sunburns (especially in the first twenty years of life) have a significantly greater risk for melanoma.
More on [ Melanoma ]
Skin Cancer
Eye Disorders :: Conditions and Diseases
Comparison of Pinnacle and SameSpots for Spot Quantification and Differential Expression in 2-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis Studies
Jeffrey S. Morris Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:27:12 -0800
2-DE is an important method for proteomics. Accurate spot detection and quantification on the resulting images is a challenging task, but must be done effectively for the technology to fulfill its potential. Traditional analytical methods have significant weaknesses, including spot mismatching and missing data. These problems require time-consuming manual editing to correct, which dramatically decreases throughput and compromises the objectivity and reproducibility of the analysis. To address this issue, we developed Pinnacle, a new method that markedly improves spot detection and quantification precision. Another new method implemented in Progenesis SameSpots, a commercial 2-DE analysis product, has also been touted as an improvement upon traditional approaches. In this study, we compared Pinnacle and SameSpots in spot detection and precision of quantification using two different dilution series, and evaluated the detection of differentially expressed proteins in two differential expression experiments. We found that SameSpots at times had problems with spot delineation, while Pinnacle did not. While both Pinnacle and SameSpots showed marked improvement in precision of spot quantifications over conventional methods, Pinnacle yielded spot quantifications with greater validity and reliability than SameSpots. Pinnacle detected more differentially expressed proteins than SameSpots, which may be a result of its increased precision and improved spot delineation.
Statistical Issues in Proteomic Research
Jeffrey S. Morris Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:03:24 -0700
Microproteomics: Analysis of protein diversity in small samples
Howard B. Gutstein Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:38:53 -0700
Proteomics, the large-scale study of protein expression in organisms, offers the potential to evaluate global changes in protein expression and their post-translational modifications that take place in response to normal or pathological stimuli. One challenge has been the requirement for substantial amounts of tissue in order to perform comprehensive proteomic characterization. In heterogeneous tissues, such as brain, this has limited the application of proteomic methodologies. Efforts to adapt standard methods of tissue sampling, protein extraction, arraying, and identification are reviewed, with an emphasis on those appropriate to smaller samples ranging in size from several microliters down to single cells. The effects of miniaturization on these analyses are highlighted using neuroscience-related examples, as are statistical issues unique to the high-dimensional datasets generated by proteomic experiments.
Pinnacle: A Fast, Automatic Method for Detecting and Quantifying Protein Spots in 2-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis Data
Jeffrey S. Morris Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:44:53 -0800
Motivation: One of the key limitations for proteomic studies using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) is the lack of rapid, robust, and reproducible methods for detecting, matching, and quantifying protein spots. The most commonly used approaches involve first detecting spots and drawing spot boundaries on individual gels, then matching spots across gels, and finally quantifying each spot by calculating normalized spot volumes. This approach is time con-suming, error-prone, and frequently requires extensive manual edit-ing, which can unintentionally introduce bias into the results.Results: We introduce a new method for spot detection and quanti-fication called Pinnacle that is automatic, quick, sensitive and spe-cific, and yields spot quantifications that are reliable and precise. This method incorporates a spot definition that is based on simple, straightforward criteria rather than complex arbitrary definitions, and results in no missing data. Using dilution series for validation, we demonstrate Pinnacle outperformed two well-established 2DE analysis packages, proving to be more accurate and yielding smaller CVs. More accurate quantifications may lead to increased power for detecting differentially expressed spots, an idea supported by the results of our group comparison experiment. Our fast, automatic analysis method makes it feasible to conduct very large 2DE-based proteomic studies that are adequately powered to find important protein expression differences.Availability: Matlab code to implement Pinnacle is available from the authors upon request for non-commercial use.
Laser capture sampling and analytical issues in proteomics
Howard Gutstein Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:35:54 -0800
Proteomics holds the promise of evaluating global changes in protein expression and post-translational modificaiton in response to environmental stimuli. However, difficulties in achieving cellular anatomic resolution and extracting specific types of proteins from cells have limited the efficacy of these techniques. Laser capture microdissection has provided a solution to the problem of anatomical resolution in tissues. New extraction methodologies have expanded the range of proteins identified in subsequent analyses. This review will examine the application of laser capture microdissection to proteomic tissue sampling, and subsequent extraction of these samples for differential expression analysis. Statistical and other quantitative issues important for the analysis of the highly complex datasets generated are also reviewed.
Statistical contributions to proteomic research
Jeffrey S. Morris Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:55:09 -0700
Proteomic profiling has the potential to impact the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of various diseases. A number of different proteomic technologies are available that allow us to look at many proteins at once, and all of them yield complex data that raise significant quantitative challenges. Inadequate attention to these quantitative issues can prevent these studies from achieving their desired goals, and can even lead to invalid results. In this chapter, we describe various ways the involvement of statisticians or other quantitative scientists in the study team can contribute to the success of proteomic research, and we outline some of the key statistical principles that should guide the experimental design and analysis of such studies.
Melanoma Patients' Information Page - Information and support for patients and those who care for them. Medical library, abstract database, bulletin board and chat room.
Meta Description: [ Comprehensive site for melanoma patients with information on the latest available therapies and research. Searchable databases for clinical trial abstracts, bulletin board, chat room ]
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ABCDs of Melanoma Detection - Look for danger signs in pigmented skin lesions. Presented by the American Academy of Dermatology.
CancerBACUP: Understanding Malignant Melanoma - Online booklet addresses the causes and treatments for the condition.
Meta Description: [ Information about malignant melanoma, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, side effects and further resources. ]
CancerNews: Watch Your Back - Overview of topics related to melanoma together with pictures.
Meta Description: [ Malignant melanoma. Each year over a million people in the United States alone will be diagnosed with skin cancer. Of these, approximately 80,000 will be afflicted with melanoma. The incidence or the number of new cases of melanoma per year continues to rise. One in seventy-one persons born in th... ]
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Diagnosis of Melanoma - Created as a tutorial for medical students.
FAQ about Melanoma - Links and information presented as an educational aid.
Genetic Change in Jewish Melanoma - Scientific paper describes the genetics of the inherited condition in Jews. Presented by a researcher from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.
Meta Description: [ FAMILIAL/INHERITED MALIGNANT MELANOMA IN JEWS PROJECT AT THE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE ]
Genomel: Melanoma Genetics Consortium - Aimed at encouraging shared genetics information for familial melanoma. Chaired by Professor Bishop, University of Leeds, UK.
Meta Description: [ GenoMEL consortium brings together teams from around the world who are working on the genetics of melanoma and identifying who is prone to developing Melanoma. ]
Interferon for Melanoma - Provides some general information highlighting the possible role of a drug agent by the pharmaceutical firm Schering-Plough.
Meta Description: [ Your source for facts on melanoma — reliable and understandable. Here, you'll find answers about treatment options, talking to your doctor, and making the most of your life with melanoma. Learn what to do if you're worried about a mole on your skin. Find out how to protect yourself and your fa... ]
Learn Melanoma.org - Learn how to improve early detection of suspicious moles.
Meta Description: [ An online learning experiment that teaches subjects to recognize, detect and distinguish Malignant Melanoma from benign moles and other skin conditions. ]
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center: Melanoma - A discussion of the topic from this Houston, Texas institution.
Malignant Melanoma - Links and articles on research and treatment.
Mayo Clinic: Melanoma Study Group - An interdisciplinary group of clinicians and scientists aimed at finding more effective therapies.
Meta Description: [ Melanoma Study group ]
Melanoma Care Consortium - Newsletter describes a new case of melanoma each month, followed by questions that health professionals can answer for education credit. Requires registration.
Meta Description: [ A PharmAdura LLC Site ]
Mole Melanoma Information - Photographs together with descriptive information demonstrating skin changes that are clues to more serious problems.
Meta Description: [ This website has been designed to help members of the public and the general medical
community increase their awareness of the changes in moles that could indicate the development of
cancerous changes known as malignant melanoma. Detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous
malig... ]
Mole Monitor UK - London clinic offering services and information on mole mapping and computerized dermoscopy.
Meta Description: [ MoleMonitor is the UK's only clinic for investigating and monitoring moles. It's high quality professional services help detect Malignant Melanoma early. ]
NCI: Melanoma - Resource aimed at patients from the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
Meta Description: [ Information about melanoma treatment, prevention, causes, screening, clinical trials, research, and other topics from the National Cancer Institute. ]
Northern California Melanoma Center - Overview of the subject and contact details. Located at the Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, California.
Meta Description: [ The Northern California Melanoma Center is your central resource for melanoma information including ground breaking new protocols ]
Ocular Melanoma Metastatic to the Liver - Extensive information from an affected family member.
Meta Description: [ Treatment and Information regarding Ocular Melanoma Mestastatic to the Liver ]
SkinLesions.net: Diagnosis of Melanoma - Scientific site which highlights the use of computers in medicine.
SunBlitz: Melanoma - A survivor offers a guide to subjects including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
Meta Description: [ A personal oddesy into the ravages of the Sun on our skin and the health benefits to be derived from avoidance of overexposure - your definitive guide for information. ]
The MOLE Clinic UK - Details the work of an advanced screening facility for melanoma in London. Includes practical information about suspicious skin areas.
Meta Description: [ The MOLE Clinic ™ UK - advanced skin screening of moles for malignant melanoma skin cancer and mole removal services. Our goal is to reduce deaths from melanoma and reduce unnecessary mole removal. Clinics throughout the uk. ]
UK Melanoma Study Group - London-based professional group for physicians and patients. Offers guidelines, meetings schedule and organizational overview.
Meta Description: [ The UK Melanoma Study Group exists to advance the knowledge and treatment of malignant melanoma in the United Kingdom ]
Understanding Melanoma - General information about the condition including causes, diagnosis, treatment and support. From the Cancer Council of New South Wales, Australia.
Meta Description: [ Understanding Melanoma - Information for people with melanoma, their families and carers. Includes information on diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Information on support services is also included. ]
University of Pittsburgh: Melanoma - Addresses a number of topics related to the condition.
University of Sydney: The Melanoma Foundation - Australian entity fosters prevention, research and treatment.
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