Clinical trial NCT00955578: Genetic Identification (ID) of Segmental Dysplastic Nevi
Official title: Identification of the Genetic Mutation Responsible for Segmental Dysplastic Nevi
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: WITHDRAWN
Conditions: Segmental Dysplastic Nevi
Lead sponsor: Nova Scotia Health Authority
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2009-08-10
Enrollment: 0
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: CASE_ONLY
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: One patient who is already known to the principal investigator

Brief summary: The investigators' goal is to identify the mutation in the gene that is responsible for the development of segmental dysplastic nevi. To identify the gene the investigators may use a candidate gene approach (i.e. sequence specific genes that are thought to be involved: NRAS, BRAF, etc) or a genome-wide approach trying to implicate regions in the genome (Loss-of-heterozygosity or copy number changes on comparative genomic hybridization).

Detailed description: Dysplastic (atypical) melanocytic (DMN) nevi have been identified as being potential precursors of melanoma and markers for patients at risk of developing primary melanoma1. In addition, having an increased number of nevi is associated with increased risk1. DMN are present in 2-5% of white adults in the U.S. population and international studies have documented up to 18% prevalence2. These lesions may be present in at least 17% of white adults with melanoma and 20-50% of melanomas may arise in nevi and atypical nevi2. The exact gene(s) involved in the development of nevi have yet to be elucidated.

Segmental dysplastic nevi are nevi that are restricted to one area of the body3. This condition is much rarer than the occurrence of dysplastic nevi, but nonetheless, may involve the same genetic mutation. The pattern of distribution in SDN is thought to result from mosaicism, i.e. the part of the body that expresses the dysplastic nevi has a mutation in a gene, however, the rest of the body does not contain this same mutation. Other mosaic disorders that have been studied in greater detail than SDN have been shown to be caused by a single gene mutation4. It appears that SDN is no different and that it too is caused by a mutation in a single gene, however, this gene is not yet known.

In this study we will perform a genetic analysis of tissue from a patient known to have SDN. With the information we gather from this analysis, we may be able to find the gene responsible for the development of dysplastic nevi.

Primary Research Objective:

To investigate the genetic mutation involved in the development of dysplastic nevi by examining a patient with SDN.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient with a positive history of segmental dysplastic nevi

Exclusion Criteria:

* None

Primary outcomes:
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Halifax
country: Canada
facility: Capital Heatlh
state: Nova Scotia
Study officials:
affiliation: Capital Health/Dalhousie University
name: Richard GB Langley, MD, FRCPC
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: