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Every advancement in patient care has its roots in research
performed in laboratories and clinics. Huntsman Cancer Institute's
unique approach to improving cancer treatment involves facilitating
interaction between scientists, doctors, and patients so that new
understanding of cancer can be rapidly translated into the saving of
lives. Studies currently underway at the Institute are focused on
creating new methods for early detection and diagnosis and on developing
more effective treatments.
Laboratory research meets bedside care in clinical trials, in which
promising new treatments are offered to qualifying volunteer participants.
These studies may offer hope to current cancer patients and are the foundation
on which hope is built for future generations.
While some research studies may involve taking newly developed medications,
others involve donating small amounts of tissue or even simply filling out a
questionnaire. All of these forms of participation are of tremendous value to
researchers trying to stop the worldwide melanoma epidemic.
The following clinics/programs are designed as resources for doctors and
laboratory scientists engaged in melanoma research and provide education and
limited or no care to participants. They are only available to melanoma patients
and/or family members who meet specific research criteria:
This study is open to any patient with a personal
or family history of melanoma or multiple unusual moles. However, participants
must be referred by a dermatologist or oncologist or be a HRMS participant.
NOTE: Participants in any of the melanoma program research clinics remain
under the care of their own doctor.
This study is open to families with multiple cases of
melanoma but not enrolled in earlier University of Utah studies.
This study is only open to certain
families studied in previous University of Utah melanoma research. The primary goal
of this clinic is to enroll familial melanoma patients who are willing to participate
in research so that hypothesis-driven research goals can be accomplished in an
efficient manner. The clinic provides a thorough skin examination and medical and
genetic education to this extremely high-risk population of patients.
Huntsman Cancer Institute is grateful to the estate of Tom C. Mathews Jr.
for their generous donation to the FMRC.
Other melanoma studies at Huntsman Cancer Institute use only traditional
cellular and molecular biological tools. These include:
- Research on the mechanisms of apoptosis in both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
- Principal investigator: Douglas Grossman, MD, PhD
- Research centered on melanoma and melanocytes
- Principal investigator: Lawrence Meyer, MD, PhD
- Research efforts investigating the genetics and biology of the use of interleukin-2 (IL-2)
- Principal investigator: Wolfram Samlowski, MD
Physicians or researchers interested in learning more about the Melanoma Program's
research into the genetics and epidemiology of melanoma and skin cancer may contact the
principal investigator by calling (801) 585-0303.
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