Multiplex tissue analysis of the tumor microenvironment and crucial factors in melanoma pathogenesis

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive and treatment resistant human skin cancer, and it is one of the tumor entities with the highest increase in incidence worldwide. The aim of our project is to establish a cooperation between the German (Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg) and the Brazilian (Universidad Federal de São Paulo) research groups, as both have their research focus on the development of melanoma. Our intention is to investigate: 1) the impact of differentially expressed proteins in melanoma an as result of abnormal epigenetic regulation and 2) the effect of an inflammatory microenvironment on melanoma progression. To study these issues we will perform multiplex tissue analysis of murine and human melanoma tissue samples by a technique called MELC, which allows the fully automated staining of tissue sections: 1) by a theoretically unlimited number of antibodies per section, and 2) in a topographically allocated manner. These data sets allow an extrapolation of the activation and functional status of a cell and by extension of the whole tissue section. This study may contribute, not only with a better understanding of melanoma biology, but also to identify potential targets for therapy and biomarkers of prognostic and drug response. (AU)