Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Investigation of the ROle of faT and inflAmmaTory Cells in mElanoma

This study is investigating past samples of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Researchers want to understand if a special interaction between fat cells and immune cells found around the primary tumour can predict how aggressive the melanoma might be. They're looking for a specific pattern where immune cells extend into fat around the tumour, which they've noticed in past melanoma cases that spread, but not in those that didn't. By studying these samples, the scientists hope to find new ways to understand melanoma and predict its behaviour. This could help doctors in the future to better assess a patient's condition and decide on the best treatment plan.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

01 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2027

Melanoma (Skin Cancer)

What is this study about?

Imagine your body has tiny building blocks called cells, and sometimes these cells can grow out of control, leading to cancer. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. This study is like a detective story, but instead of solving a crime, scientists are trying to understand exactly how melanoma behaves and why it might spread in some people but not others.

They're particularly interested in two types of cells: fat cells and immune cells (which are part of your body's defence system). The researchers have noticed something intriguing when they look very closely at old melanoma samples under a microscope. They've seen that in melanomas that spread, there seems to be a special 'chat' or interaction happening between the fat cells and immune cells directly around the cancer. This interaction makes the immune cells push into the surrounding fat in a unique way.

The main goal of this research is to confirm if this specific interaction between fat cells and immune cells really does indicate whether a melanoma is more likely to be aggressive. If they can prove this, it could be a significant step in understanding melanoma better and finding new ways to help predict its behaviour in patients. This study uses existing tissue samples, so no new patient involvement is needed.

Key takeaways

This study is looking at old melanoma samples, not current patients.
Researchers are investigating how fat cells and immune cells interact around melanoma.
The goal is to understand if this interaction predicts how aggressive melanoma might be.
Findings could help improve understanding and prediction of melanoma behaviour.
No direct patient involvement or new tests are needed for this research.

Who may be eligible?

This study doesn't involve new patients, as it uses stored tissue samples from people who had melanoma in the past. Researchers are looking at samples collected during specific time frames.

They will consider samples from individuals who had their melanoma treated between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015. Additionally, they will also look at samples from patients treated at The Christie hospital between 2014 and 2019.

They'll specifically be checking the quality of the slides with these samples to make sure they can clearly see the entire tumour and assess if immune cells are invading the fat. They cannot use samples where the slides aren't clear enough or don't show the full area of interest.

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.

Did you have melanoma treated between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2015?
Were you treated at The Christie hospital for melanoma between 2014 and 2019?
Your tissue samples must be clear enough for detailed examination.
The samples must show the full area where the tumour was to check for immune cell invasion into fat.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

As this study uses existing tissue samples from past medical procedures, you won't need to do anything or attend any appointments. No new samples will be collected from patients. This type of research helps us learn from existing medical information without directly involving patients in new tests or treatments.

Potential risks and benefits

Since this study only uses stored tissue samples from previous procedures, there are no direct risks or benefits to individuals. The 'benefit' is for future patients, as the findings might help doctors better understand melanoma and predict its behaviour, potentially leading to improved care. Participants' consent has not been specifically obtained for this research, but the use of these samples is carefully managed following ethical guidelines.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Manchester, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that develops when skin cells called melanocytes, which produce melanin (the pigment that gives skin its colour), start to grow out of control.

Why is this study important if it's just looking at old samples?

By studying past samples, researchers can look for patterns and clues that might explain why some melanomas spread and others don't. This knowledge can help in developing better ways to predict and treat melanoma in the future.

What are 'fat cells' and 'immune cells' in this context?

Fat cells store energy, and immune cells are part of your body's defence system, fighting off infections and diseases. This study is looking at how these two types of cells interact around a melanoma tumour.

Will my personal data be safe?

When studies use old samples, personal information is usually anonymised or kept strictly confidential to protect patient privacy and comply with data protection laws. The focus is on the scientific findings from the tissue, not individual patient details.

Will I be contacted about this study?

No, because this study uses existing samples and doesn't require new participation, you will not be contacted directly by the researchers.

How to find out more

Richa Garva, Dr

removed_due_to_spam@email.com 01614469999 Official trial record

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