Biomarker test a boon for uveal melanoma diagnosis

Australian study demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity
Eye

Doctors could soon be using a blood test as a minimally invasive monitoring tool for the early detection of uveal melanoma, Australian researchers say.

A team from the University of Queensland (UQ) has found a panel of six blood biomarkers that can differentiate uveal benign moles and melanomas, as well as whether the melanomas have metastasised.

Their cross-sectional study measured the levels of 17 microRNA biomarkers in the blood samples of 10 patients with choroidal naevi, 50 patients with localised uveal melanoma and five patients with metastatic uveal melanoma using a sensitive real-time PCR system.

The samples were collected from the Queensland Ocular Oncology Service, Lions Eye Institute in Perth and Royal Perth Hospital from June 2012 to September 2015, with a three- to five-year follow-up period.