Abstract
Presentation Description :
Despite successful treatment of primary uveal melanoma (UM) and low levels of detectible metastatic spread at diagnosis, up to 50% of patients harbor occult metastatic disease and eventually succumb to the disease. Non-invasive biomarkers to facilitate disease stratification and monitor metastatic progression are lacking. Our basic science-clinical research collaboration translates discovery of a novel tumor-immune cell hybrid that is disseminated to peripheral blood to patients with UM. Analyses of hybrid cells from peripheral blood supports stratification of patients for risk of metastatic progression. Further, interrogation of hybrid cell mechanisms underlying dissemination to peripheral blood supports the dissection of key pathways that may ultimately unveil novel therapeutic targets for patients with UM.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.