Assay development for a protein implicated in metastatic melanoma

Status: Complete
Year: 2017
Funded: $95,509
Grant Type: Major Project Grant
Tags:
Cancer
Research

Peroxidasin is a protein found in most tissues in the human body. Its physiological function was discovered only recently and so far its contribution to health and disease is poorly understood. There is evidence that peroxidasin plays an adverse role in certain pathologies. Peroxidasin was shown to be upregulated in numerous types of tumors. Moreover it was identified to be vastly elevated in metastasizing melanoma skin cancer cells.

Peroxidasin also appears to be involved in tissue fibrosis. Peroxidasin is a protein found in most tissues in the human body. Its physiological function was discovered only recently and so far its contribution to health and disease is poorly understood. There is evidence that peroxidasin plays an adverse role in certain pathologies. Peroxidasin was shown to be upregulated in numerous types of tumors. Moreover it was identified to be vastly elevated in metastasizing melanoma skin cancer cells. Peroxidasin also appears to be involved in tissue fibrosis. 

However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. To date there are no assays available to detect peroxidasin protein and activity. To study the involvement of peroxidasin in melanoma we will develop specific methods to measure peroxidasin in various biological samples, therefore providing important tools to improve our understanding of the reactions of peroxidasin and its implications in health and disease

Researcher // Dr Martina Paumann-Page – University of Otago

Dr Paumann-Page is interested in how reactions of mammalian peroxidases are involved in health and disease. The main focus of her research is to investigate what role human peroxidasin plays in invasive metastatic melanoma and fibrosis.

More About Dr Martina Paumann-Page
Melanoma

What is Melanoma?

Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common form of skin cancer. While melanomas are less common than non-melanoma skin cancers they are responsible for the most deaths from skin cancer. Melanoma most commonly occurs on the skin on parts of the body that were sunburned, but it can appear on skin anywhere on the body. It often starts as a new spot on your skin, but may develop from an existing mole. Melanoma can grow very quickly and spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. If found when they are thin and at an early stage, most melanomas can be completely removed with surgery.Melanoma can affect parts of the body other than the skin, although this is rare. Occasionally, melanoma can start in places such as the eye or the gut, and may not always be related to sun exposure.

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More than 85 percent of people diagnosed with early melanoma 15 years ago are alive and well today.
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Skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand. New skin cancers total about 82,000 per year.
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2000 new melanoma cases diagnosed in New Zealand each year.
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About $57 million a year is spent on skin cancer treatment in New Zealand.

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