Imène KROSSA

Research team

Biology and pathologies of melanocytes: From skin pigmentation to melanoma

Study of the molecular mechanisms involved in ocular melanoma: the search for therapeutic targets

Abstract :

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer in adults. Despite successful treatment of primary tumors through surgery or radiotherapy, metastases develop in 50% of patients, primarily within the liver. Metastatic uveal melanoma is highly refractory to current therapies. Tebentafusp is the only immunotherapy that has increased the survival of metastatic uveal melanoma patients, but it is limited to HLA-A*02:01 positive patients. Therefore, an effective treatment needs to be found for the majority of patients. At the metastatic stage, 80% of patients die within a year. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in metastatic uveal melanoma is crucial for identifying effective therapeutic targets. To discover relevant targets, we have conducted a CRISPR/Cas9 screen linked to a major dysregulation observed in metastatic uveal melanoma in humans. We have identified an interesting candidate whose inhibition slows the proliferation of metastatic uveal melanoma cells. This candidate could represent a new prognostic marker and/or a relevant therapeutic target for metastatic uveal melanoma treatment.

Key words :

Metastatic uveal melanoma, CRISPR/Cas9, Therapeutic target