Sensitive RT-PCR Analysis for Melanoma Markers From Lymph Nodes and Peripheral Blood in Patients With Melanoma
reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction
+ sentinel lymph node biopsy
Neoplasms+9
+ Neoplasms by Histologic Type
+ Neoplasms by Site
Diagnostic Study
Summary
Study start date: June 1, 1998
Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.OBJECTIVES: Determine the feasibility of performing reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for five different tumor antigen genes using lymph node samples or peripheral blood from patients with melanoma. Determine the ability of PCR-positive lymph nodes or peripheral blood to predict relapse of disease in these patients. Determine the correlation of positive PCR results from peripheral blood with disease stage. OUTLINE: Lymph node biopsies or peripheral blood are obtained from patients. These specimens are examined by nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and analyzed for various tumor antigens. Patients may choose to be told the results of this testing, but the results do not influence or change the planned therapy. Brief counseling is required to discuss the results and their potential implications. Patients are followed for at least 2 years. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 30 patients for the lymph node portion and 80 patients (20 per stage of disease) for the peripheral blood portion will be accrued for this study within 3 years.
Protocol
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.106 patients to be enrolled
Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.Diagnostic Study
Eligibility
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.Any sex
Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.Healthy volunteers not allowed
If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.Conditions
Pathology
Criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Clinically proven melanoma with indication to perform sentinel lymph node biopsy or elective lymph node dissection OR Histologically proven or diagnosis highly suspicious for melanoma PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin greater than 7 g/dL Hepatic: PT less than 15 sec PTT less than 30 sec Renal: Not specified Other: No psychiatric illness that precludes compliance No other concurrent malignancy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy Not specified Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy Not specified Surgery Not specified
Study Plan
Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.Study Objectives
Primary Objectives
Study Centers
These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.This study has 1 location
University of Chicago Cancer Research Center
Chicago, United StatesOpen University of Chicago Cancer Research Center in Google Maps