Melanoma And Skin Cancer Research Institute

The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Research Institute is a joint venture of the Melanoma Foundation and the Dermatology Foundation of the University of Sydney is based at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.  It joins together the clinicians and researchers of the Sydney Melanoma Unit and the Belisario Institute of Dermatology to provide a centre for clinical care, clinical and biological research and treatment for people with melanoma and skin cancer.  MASCRI determines and implements its own research direction and policies and has control through the Melanoma Foundation of its own infrastructure and funds.  All funds are accountable through its Board, the Senate of the University of Sydney and through the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

MASCRI conducts research in 5 basic areas:
a. Clinical research
b. Diagnostic research
c. Genetics research
d. Immunobiology
e. Ultraviolet carcinogenesis

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Clinical research concentrates specifically on new surgical techniques, clinical trials of chemotherapeutic agents, the development of new diagnostic instruments and behavioural research designed to assist people with melanoma to cope more effectively with the disease and perhaps to influence its outcome.  The major current research project of MASCRI is the international controlled trial of selective lymphadenectomy.  This trial aims to identify, and treat, at an earlier stage those people whose melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes, although the lymph nodes at that stage are not able to be detected by the current investigatory methods. A variety of chemotherapeutic trials of combination chemotherapy and new chemotherapy agents is underway within the Unit.  Behavioural research concentrates on assessing and developing behavioural techniques which are helpful in coping with the crises and, perhaps influencing the rate of cure of the disease.


DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH

Diagnostic research concentrates on the development of an automated diagnostic instrument which analyses the clinical and some biological characteristics of melanoma while it is still on the skin. 


GENETICS RESEARCH

Genetics research is based at Westmead Hospital, a teaching hospital of the University of Sydney, under the direction of Professor Richard Kefford.  A large collection of familial melanomas form the basis of the search for specific genes responsible for the familial and the sporadic form of melanoma.  Some specific genes have already been detected and work is progressing on the development of a battery of tests to identify those at specific risk for the development of a melanoma. 


IMMUNOBIOLOGY

Immunological research is based at the Sydney Melanoma Unit and at the University of Newcastle and is under the direction of clinical professor, Peter Hersey.  Melanoma is known to cause autoimmune disease in many people ie it causes reactions in the body which can be identified and perhaps manipulated to both prevent melanoma recurrence and treat the established disease.  Basis research in immunology aims to identify the important reactions in the tissues which underpin the immune reaction to the developing melanoma.  Immunotherapy trials aim to produce a vaccine to prevent recurrence of melanoma and perhaps to treat the established disease are in progress.


ULTRAVIOLET CARCINOGENESIS

Basic research on a variety of factors important in the skin response to ultraviolet light are in progress.