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Two classes of molecules in uveal melanoma suggest different treatments
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NEW YORK — The identification of two distinct forms of molecules in uveal melanoma may lead to significant advances in the treatment of the disease, said one researcher speaking here.
According to William Harbour, MD, tumors containing class 1 and class 2 molecules differ in degree of severity due to biological differences.
“The biology of class 1 and class 2 is very different,” he told attendees here at Macula 2006.
Dr. Harbour explained that researchers have not observed any tumors with class 1 molecules that have metastasized, while 75% of those with class 2 molecules have.
He also said that class 2 molecules are associated with smaller, malignant tumors and are correlated with metastatic death as well as the presence of monosomy 3, a known predictor of poor prognosis.
He said class 2 molecules have a superior predictive value, and tumors containing them are worthy of “intensive surveillance.”
“Don’t wait to treat uveal melanoma until we have a cure, it doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Dr. Harbour said that clinical trials for molecule-targeting therapies should include only class 2 molecules due to their risk for metastasis.
One question for future research, he said, is how best to treat small tumors.
“Are they the same at the onset and then develop into either class 1 or class 2, or do they differ from day 1?” he asked. “We can begin to answer these questions if we develop noninvasive testing techniques.”