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Research and Academics

Research News...

A recent University press release features the work of third-year resident Jennifer Pryor and pathologist Haodong Xu, published in Modern Pathology. They, and co-authors Patricia Bourne, Qi Yang, dermatopathologist Glynis Scott, and Betsy O. Spaulding of Dako Corporation, studied the role of the protein IMP-3 in malignant melanoma.

Haodong Xu Jennifer Pryor

Dr. Xu, corresponding author on the paper, summarizes:

"Malignant melanoma is a deadly disease if it is not caught early. The diagnosis may be difficult because some benign nevi mimic malignant melanoma. Insulin-like growth factor-II messenger RNA (mRNA)-binding protein-3 (IMP-3), also known as K homology domain-containing protein overexpressed in cancer (KOC) and L523S, is an oncoprotein and functions to promote tumor cell proliferation. We hypothesize that this molecule is involved in the development and progression of malignant melanoma. We are excited about our findings that IMP3 is expressed in malignant melanoma but not in benign nevi, even when dysplastic features are present; IMP-3 is expressed in a significantly higher proportion of melanomas than Spitz nevi; and IMP-3 is expressed in metastatic melanomas significantly more than in thin melanomas. In conclusion, IMP-3 appears to be involved in the progression of malignant melanoma and may play an important role in the regulation of the biologic behavior of this tumor. Additionally, IMP-3 may have diagnostic utility in distinguishing melanoma from benign nevic cells, dysplastic nevi, and Spitz nevi.

Further mechanistic studies are warranted to determine the role of IMP3 in the development of malignant melanoma."

Pathology Research

Pathologists explore the mechanisms of human disease in both research laboratories and patient care settings.

At the University of Rochester Medical Center, we support collaborative efforts that create bridges between researchers and clinical specialists. Our faculty participate in interdepartmental and multidisciplinary research projects. Many of them are involved in clinical laboratory testing, clinical trials testing, and basic scientific research.

Our goals are to use new information from the research laboratory in order to enhance clinical testing; to use knowledge gained in the examination of clinical specimens in order to develop new hypotheses for basic research; and to share our knowledge through effective educational programs.