Overview

The CRE Leadership

The CRE Investigators have pioneered clinical, epidemiological, behavioural, genetic and molecular research into naevi, including melanoma prevention and early detection efforts and the worldwide implementation of dermoscopy. This CRE leadership team is now uniquely placed to progress research in this field, train the next generation of clinicians and researchers, and advance the evidence to the next level.

CRE Research

The combined collaborative research conducted within the CRE Research Programs, together with the extensive existing data, will generate entirely new knowledge on the epidemiology and genetics of naevi, the naevi life cycle and its interdependence with early detection of melanoma.

The CRE research will be conducted in Queensland, the ideal place to conduct this study due to:

• a highly sun exposed population and consequently high naevus count and melanoma numbers.
• QLD hosts one of only two dermatology chairs in Australia, making it the logical place to advance this clinical and translational research program.
• People in QLD are highly receptive to research, evidenced by the large and long-term Chief Investigator-led studies including the 20-year Nambour skin cancer prevention study, Melanoma Screening trial, and QLD Melanoma Case Control study.

Over the next five years, the CRE for the Study of Naevi will be an ideal catalyst for innovative and world-class research through its:

• strong collaborative networks
• focus on technology advances 
• access to high quality high volume datasets and an annotated naevus database
• multi-disciplinary expertise with a highly focussed and multidisciplinary team
• consumer involvement and focus on rapid research translation into policy and practice
• excellence in clinical and research training attracting high quality national and international doctoral, postdoctoral scholars and clinicians
• latest technological advances accessible through the CRE team, such as micro-biopsies, whole-body 3-D photography and mobile teledermoscopy
• training in entrepreneurial advances including medical devices and patented molecular discoveries of the CRE team
• provision of a great learning platform for young researchers who want to build a commercial career alongside an academic career

Dissemination of CRE-generated evidence will occur through the Cancer Councils of Queensland and Australia, the Australasian College of Dermatologists position statement on “Screening and early detection of skin cancer”, the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of melanoma, and other national and international educational resources.

CRE Outcomes and Significance

This CRE will improve melanoma risk prediction and early detection methods and guidelines, lead to technological advances and patents, and professional development activities, all with the ultimate outcome of improved melanoma early detection and survival.