The Melanoma Tissue Bank Consortium aims to collect more than 500 fresh-frozen primary melanoma tissue samples, additional biospecimens (blood, urine, etc.) and corresponding patient data in order to support melanoma research. These well-annotated samples, which will be available to researchers anywhere in the world, will help to answer critical research questions related to melanoma epidemiology, etiology, and treatment.

The AIM at Melanoma Foundation funds this effort AIM has brought together six esteemed institutions and researchers to establish the world’s first collaborative melanoma tissue bank consortium. OHSU Dermatology serves as the lead institution for this international effort, and together Dr. Leachman and Dr. Cassidy lead the department’s contribution to this groundbreaking effort.

The Consortium

• Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
  • John M. Kirkwood, M.D., Professor of medicine, dermatology, and clinical and translational science
• Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)
  • Sancy Leachman, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Chair; Director, Knight Cancer Institute Melanoma Program
• California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), Sutter Health
  • Mohammed Kashani-Sabet, M.D.
• Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University
  • Jeffrey D Wayne, M.D., Professor and Chief, Surgical Oncology
• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victoria, Australia
  • Grant McArthur, Ph.D., Head, Molecular Oncology Laboratory
• Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia