RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Identification of Risk Factors, Exposomics and Genetic Susceptibility of Melanoma in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults

This research is trying to understand why children, teenagers, and young adults develop melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. The scientists are looking at different factors, including your surroundings and lifestyle (like sun exposure or pollution), as well as your genes (the instructions inside your body). By collecting information from many young people across Europe, they hope to build a clearer picture of what increases the risk of melanoma. The main aim is to develop better ways to prevent this cancer by understanding these risk factors. This could lead to more personalised advice and protection strategies for younger generations.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital Tuebingen

Enrolment target

200

Start

01 Jan 2024

Estimated completion

31 May 2026

Melanoma Spitzoid Melanoma Congenital Nevi

What is this study about?

This study is focused on melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer, specifically in children, teenagers, and young adults. Researchers want to understand what makes some young people more likely to get melanoma. They are looking at many different things, including their environment (like how much sun exposure they've had or the air quality where they live) and their genes, which are the unique instructions inside all of us that come from our parents.

The main goal is to identify all these different factors that might play a role. By understanding them better, the researchers hope to create a way to estimate someone's risk of developing melanoma more accurately. This could really help with prevention, allowing doctors and families to take steps to reduce the risk based on scientific evidence. It's all about providing clearer guidance on how to protect young people from this type of cancer.

To do this, they are bringing together lots of health information from different places across Europe. This large collection of data will help them see patterns and connections between genes, environmental factors, and melanoma. They'll also be looking closely at people's genetic makeup, including specific changes in their DNA, to understand how these might increase risk. This detailed look at genes and environmental factors will help create a 'risk score', which could eventually help identify those who might benefit most from early prevention strategies.

Key takeaways

Helps understand why young people get melanoma.
Looks at genes, environment, and lifestyle factors.
Aims to create better ways to prevent melanoma.
Uses existing medical information and samples.
No extra clinic visits or new treatments involved.
Your privacy is protected.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people who have been diagnosed with melanoma. You must have received an official diagnosis of melanoma from a doctor.

The study is specifically for younger individuals. You can take part if you are aged 30 years old or younger. There is no lower age limit mentioned, so it includes children and teenagers up to the age of 30.

To be eligible, it's important that there are biological samples available, such as blood or tissue from your melanoma, for the researchers to study. Also, you (or your parent/guardian if you are under 16) would need to give your permission by signing a consent form to take part in the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have you been diagnosed with melanoma?
Are you 30 years old or younger?
Are medical samples (like blood or tissue) from your diagnosis available?
Are you willing to sign a consent form (or have a parent/guardian sign if under 16)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The information provided suggests that taking part in this study primarily involves allowing researchers to use your existing medical information and biological samples. You wouldn't need to attend extra clinic visits for this study or take any new medications. There's no mention of specific assessments or follow-up appointments directly related to this research.

Your involvement would mainly be giving permission for researchers to access data from your medical records and samples that may have been collected during your diagnosis or treatment. This could include details about your melanoma, your genetic information, and information about your environment or lifestyle. You won't be asked to do anything new for the study itself; it's about sharing information that has already been gathered.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of taking part in this study is contributing to a better understanding of melanoma in young people, which could lead to improved prevention strategies for future generations. While there are no direct benefits to you personally, your participation could help others. The main risk involves the use of your personal medical data and biological samples, but researchers are careful to protect your privacy and keep your information confidential. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, meaning you can stop your involvement without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (6)

Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine
Verified postcode
Düsseldorf, Germany· Active not recruiting
University of Florence
Verified postcode
Florence, Italy· Active not recruiting
Istituto Nazionale del Tumori
Verified postcode
Milan, Italy· Active not recruiting
Medical University of Gdánsk
Verified postcode
Gdansk, Poland· Recruiting
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Verified postcode
Barcelona, Spain· Recruiting
Karolinska Institute
Verified postcode
Solna, Sweden· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of information will the study collect about me?

The study will collect information about your melanoma diagnosis, your genes, and potentially details about your environment and lifestyle from existing medical records and samples.

Will I have to go to extra appointments for this study?

No, it doesn't look like you'll need to attend any extra appointments. The study uses information and samples already collected.

Will taking part help me personally?

This study aims to help understand melanoma better in general, which hopefully benefits future patients, but it won't directly change your personal medical care or provide individual results.

Is my personal information kept private?

Yes, researchers are very careful to protect your privacy and keep all your medical information confidential.

Can I change my mind about taking part?

Yes, you can decide to stop being part of the study at any time, and it won't affect your medical care.

How to find out more

Ines B Brecht, MD, PhD

ines.brecht@med.uni-tuebingen.de +49707183773 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.