Collecting and studying bio-specimens from melanoma patients

Storage and Research Use of Human Bio-specimens From Melanoma Patients and Clinical Testing for Assignment of Treatment

Observational Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center · NCT01205815

This study is collecting tissue and blood samples from melanoma patients to learn more about the disease and improve future treatments.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment3000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorVanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Nashville, Tennessee)
Trial IDNCT01205815 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research focuses on collecting tissue and blood samples from patients diagnosed with melanoma to identify biological characteristics associated with the initiation and progression of the disease. The study aims to bank these specimens for future research purposes, which may help in understanding melanoma better and improving treatment strategies. Patients who have undergone diagnostic or therapeutic procedures that yield leftover tissue are eligible to participate. The study is observational and does not involve any specific treatment interventions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals with a pathologically-proven diagnosis of melanoma who can provide leftover tissue or blood samples.

Not a fit: Patients with significant contraindications to blood collection or those unable to provide consent may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for melanoma patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies involving the collection and analysis of bio-specimens from cancer patients have shown success in advancing understanding and treatment options, making this approach promising.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria

* Pathologically-proven diagnosis of melanoma.
* Patient must have a test or procedure that has the potential to provide left-over tissue that can be banked for future research purposes OR the patient has already had a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure but who has not yet been approached to participate is also eligible.

Exclusion criteria

* Any patient with significant contraindications to venipuncture (e.g., severe anemia) will be excluded from blood collection procedures. However, if the patient provides consent and a paraffin-embedded block or 10-15 unstained slides of their tissue diagnosis, they will not be excluded from this protocol.
* Any patient unable or unwilling to provide consent.

Where this trial is running

Nashville, Tennessee

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Melanoma
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.