A Cure in Sight launches the Insight Biobank, partners with RCRF’s pattern.org to make progress possible
The Insight Biobank logo, powered by pattern.org
A Cure in Sight (ACIS) and the Rare Cancer Research Foundation’s (RCRF’s) initiative, pattern.org, are excited to announce the expansion of their partnership through the creation of ACIS’s new Insight Biobank, which will be a critical piece of the puzzle in accelerating research and improving patient outcomes for ocular melanoma patients.
The Insight Biobank, in partnership with pattern.org, will serve as the first-ever centralized, ethically governed, patient-inclusive repository of biological samples (including tumor tissue, blood, and swabs) and associated de-identified medical data for ocular melanoma.
“One of the biggest hurdles preventing us from providing better care for patients with ocular melanoma is the limited understanding of this rare cancer,” said Justin Moser, MD, the biobank’s principal investigator. “To better understand, researchers need patient samples to study. This innovative, patient driven biobank will be the first of its kind to offer researchers access to patient samples, which are crucial to develop new and better treatment options for our patients.”
Ocular melanoma patients from any U.S.-based medical facility can consent to donate their samples and/or medical data through pattern.org, which has an existing streamlined process and ensures all samples and data are de-identified and shipped safely to be processed and stored.
The samples and data will then be made accessible to academic and commercial researchers to facilitate vital breakthroughs. The Insight Biobank also aims to advance equity by encouraging participation from underrepresented patients and ensuring transparent communication about how samples are used.
“We are thrilled to partner with ACIS on the new initiative as RCRF’s founder, Mark Laabs, was an ocular melanoma patient,” Barbara Van Hare, RCRF’s Head of Partnerships, said. “Ensuring researchers have increased access to patient tissues and clinical data will help speed new discoveries.”
“Today marks an important step for patients and families living with ocular melanoma,” Melody Burchett, President of ACIS, said. “With the launch of the Insight Biobank this month, A Cure In Sight is creating a secure, patient-centered resource that will help researchers ask better questions and find answers faster. By connecting high-quality samples with rich, consented clinical data, we’re building the foundation for earlier detection, smarter treatments, and—ultimately—better outcomes. Most importantly, this biobank was shaped with patient voices at the table from day one.”
