Real-time detection of melanoma cells circulating in the blood
Official title: In Vivo Real-time Detection of Circulating Melanoma Cells
Run by University of Arkansas · NCT01776905 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether a new photoacoustic device can find melanoma cells circulating in the blood of adults with early or advanced melanoma and in healthy volunteers in real time.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Arkansas Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Little Rock, Arkansas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 2013 |
| Main results expected | July 2027 |
| Study ends | July 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 17, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT01776905 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18–80 with histologically confirmed melanoma (Stages I–IV) who can sit still for 90 minutes are eligible, and healthy adult volunteers are also recruited for calibration.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active infection, significant comorbid medical or surgical conditions, organic brain syndrome, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those unable to remain still for the required scan time are excluded and may not benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study uses a photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) prototype to look for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in vivo and in real time. About 75 participants will be enrolled at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences across three cohorts: healthy controls, early-stage (I–II) melanoma, and advanced-stage (III–IV) melanoma. Each participant will undergo noninvasive PAFC scanning sessions (participants must be able to sit still for about 90 minutes) to determine device detection limits compared with existing ex vivo methods. The trial aims to show detection sensitivity at least one order of magnitude better than current ex vivo CTC tests.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could enable more sensitive, noninvasive detection and monitoring of melanoma spread from a simple bedside scan.
How similar studies have gone: Related photoacoustic and in vivo flow cytometry approaches have shown promising preclinical and small pilot results, but real-time in vivo detection of melanoma CTCs in larger clinical groups remains experimental.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 80 years * Histological documented diagnosis of melanoma * Signed informed consent form approved by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Institutional Review Board (IRB) * Must be able to sit still for 90 minutes Exclusion Criteria: * Active infection * Current and significant medical or surgical condition as determined by the Investigator * Diagnosis or evidence of organic brain syndrome * Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Where it's running
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University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jumin Sunde, MD — University of Arkansas
- Study coordinator: Jumin Sunde, MD
- Email: Jsunde2@uams.edu
- Phone: 501-526-6990
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.