Nevada Cancer Institute to Expand Research on Deadliest Form of Skin Cancer

Studies may lead to better prognostic and therapeutic strategies for melanoma

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tiffany Hauck, (702-737-3100), thauck@kirvindoak.com

Las Vegas – May 17, 2010 – Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) awarded grants to two of its researchers to study how melanoma—the most dangerous form of skin cancer—spreads to distant organs in the body. The announcement of these grants is especially pertinent to this month, National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. The projects are funded by an Institutional Research Grant from the American Cancer Society.

NVCI researchers Byungwoo Ryu, Ph.D., and Matthew VanBrocklin, Ph.D., were each awarded $45,000 to identify molecular indicators that can predict the aggressiveness of melanoma tumors and the genomic mechanisms that actually cause the disease to spread. The projects are designed to provide better prognostic and treatment strategies.

“Given the alarming increase of melanoma throughout the nation and our state, it is critical that we gain a better understanding of how this cancer functions, and what we can do to help improve survivorship and cure rates in the future,” said John C. Ruckdeschel, Director and CEO of NVCI and the Murren Family Distinguished Director’s Chair. “This support from the American Cancer Society is essential to our research effort and a testament to both the quality and commitment of these young faculty members.”

Although many genetic alterations in melanoma have already been identified, researchers have thus far been unable to validate which alterations actually cause or induce the spread of the initial cancer. VanBrocklin's study aims to change that.

By expanding upon his previous research, which compared the genomic properties of a parental melanoma with spread of the disease, VanBrocklin will seek to identify the specific genomic alterations that caused the original cancer to spread.

“Once melanoma has spread to other organs in the body it is more likely to become resistant to conventional cancer treatments,” said VanBrocklin. “Finding the actual mechanisms that drive metastasis will build the foundation for additional studies and the development of improved pharmacologic and immunologic therapies.”

Although melanoma has a fairly high survival rate if caught early, there remains a lack of effective treatments that improve survivorship of patients with advanced disease. Ryu’s research will attempt to identify specific biological signatures, or biomarkers, that can predict the likelihood that early-stage tumors will spread and therefore complicate treatment strategies.

“Knowing at the time of diagnosis whether a specific tumor has a higher likelihood of spreading will allow doctors to make better and longer-term treatment decisions for their patients,” Ryu said.

Skin cancer is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the United States and the sixth leading cause of cancer death in Nevada. It is estimated that each year 300 Nevadans will be diagnosed with melanoma and approximately 60 will die from the disease.

The American Cancer Society awards competitive institutional research grants to research institutes and universities that support independent, self-directed investigators early in their careers who have novel ideas and promising initiatives in cancer research.

About Nevada Cancer Institute

Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) is the official cancer institute for the State of Nevada. A nonprofit organization, NVCI is committed to reducing the burden of cancer by pursuing the development of a comprehensive cancer center, as defined by the National Cancer Institute. Through the knowledge and expertise of the finest scientists, clinicians, educators and caregivers, the Institute provides hope to communities in Nevada, the southwest and beyond through research, education, early detection, prevention and high quality patient care. NVCI is striving for a future without cancer that is achieved through innovative and collaborative research in basic, clinical and population science. For more information, please visit www.nevadacancerinstitute.org or call (702) 822-LIFE.