Shaofeng Yan
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, USA
Title: Application of molecular tools in diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma
Biography
Biography: Shaofeng Yan
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer. Histopathological criteria sometimes may be inadequate in differentiating difficult melanocytic lesions. Treatment for advanced melanoma cases still remains elusive. New development in molecular testing technologies is useful for improving diagnosis. New therapeutic approaches based upon a growing understanding of the underlying molecular abnormalities have been used in advanced malignant melanoma recently. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray analysis can accurately detect copy number changes and aid in improving differentiation of malignant melanoma from benign melanocytic proliferation. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have enabled detection of key genetic mutations for targeted therapy. Here we share our experience of application of SNP microarray analysis in differentiation of malignant melanoma from benign melanocytic proliferation. Furthermore using NGS testing for a 50 gene panel, we have identified numerous variable mutations, which may represent potential targets for future therapies in patients with advanced melanoma.