ACEMID

ACRF Australian Centre of Excellence in
Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID)

An Australian Cancer Research Foundation Flagship Centre

The Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID) is funded by a $10M Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) infrastructure grant.

The ACEMID equipment network consists of 15 Vectra 3D skin imaging machines (Canfield Scientific Inc., Parsippany, NJ, US) which will be integrated into metropolitan and regional hospital settings across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, enabling telehealth and remote diagnostic capabilities.

Working towards zero deaths from melanoma

We are committed to reducing the incidence of melanoma for all Australians, by creating a network of advanced 3D imaging technology systems that will improve early detection and diagnosis, particularly within regional areas.

ACRF ACEMID brings together three leading Australian universities in skin research; Monash University, the University of Sydney, and the University of Queensland.

Our goal is to integrate and leverage world-class research expertise that is unique to Australia, to provide technologically disruptive and reliable solutions for the early diagnosis of melanoma.

Together, we're creating a 3D total body skin imaging network, which will form an interconnected centre of excellence in diagnostic imaging of melanoma.

The ACEMID platform will enable teledermatology with regional health services, providing a connected and far-reaching early melanoma detection and surveillance program.

The total body 3D imaging technology at the core of ACEMID will allow for objective and secure collection of surface photography in a few milliseconds. Avatars generated by the imaging software enable documentation of lesions on all skin surfaces (except soles of feet, scalp and areas covered by clothing) to unprecedented levels of detail.

Sequential photography at regular intervals will allow for the detection of new or changing lesions. This detailed photography, coupled with Artificial Intelligence (being developed by the consortium) will allow the implementation of rapid, more accurate and cost-effective skin screening and improved outcomes for people at risk of melanoma.

ACRF ACEMID related research

ACEMID Cohort Study

Chief Investigator: A/Prof Victoria Mar

Funded by NHMRC Clinical Trials and Cohort Grant (GNT2001517)

Overarching aim:

To deliver a risk stratified imaging-based approach to melanoma prevention, early detection and surveillance which will incorporate cutting edge technologies to standardise diagnosis and optimise care.

This will be achieved by focusing on four core areas:

  1. Risk stratification: Prospectively validate existing melanoma risk tools and integrate automated phenotypic assessments from 3D total body imaging to optimise risk stratified surveillance programs.
  2. Diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility: Determine factors that influence clinical and histopathological diagnostic variability and the impacts of this on melanoma management and outcomes; and to enable development and validation of novel artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms as diagnostic, prognostic and management aids for melanoma and other skin cancers.
  3. Health services: Examine barriers and enablers to successful implementation of 3D imaging and AI-based technologies into the health system (including a telehealth network), such as acceptability and usability.
  4. Health economics: Calculate expected health system and societal costs of a national risk stratified imaging-based targeted surveillance strategy, assess the impact of the surveillance program on preventive behaviours and quality of life and the economic impact of integrating AI-assisted technologies.

There are currently minor delays in recruiting participants for this trial due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria. COVID permitting, we anticipate that imaging will commence before the end of the year at Alfred Health and Skin Health Institute and early next year for the remaining sites. Complete our online form to register your interest in this study, or if you have any questions please contact us at acemid@monash.edu.

Melanoma surveillance photography to improve early detection in high-risk individuals (IMAGE) Trial

Chief Investigator: A/Prof Victoria Mar

Funded by MRFF Targeted Health System & Community Organisation Research Grant (MRF1175082)

Melanoma surveillance photography (MSP) can be used to monitor the skin of people at high-risk of developing melanoma. Currently, MSP is not covered by Medicare and can be costly. This trial will help provide the information needed by the Medical Services Advisory Committee (the committee advising the Australian Government on the public funding of new medical services), to decide if MSP should be covered by Medicare.

For more information, visit masc.org.au/image

Learn more about ACRF ACEMID

Building research capacity towards early detection of melanoma. Visit ACRF ACEMID here.

Register your interest

Get involved in the world's largest Melanoma Cohort study. Register your interest here.

Research and clinical strength

The research and clinical strength underpinning the proposed ACRF ACEMID initiative includes three complementary NHMRC-funded Centres of Research Excellence (CRE):

  • CRE the Study of Naevi – led by Professor Peter Soyer, University of Queensland
  • CRE in Melanoma – led by Professor Anne Cust, University of Sydney
  • CRE in Telemedicine – led by Professor Len Gray, University of Queensland

The ACEMID cohort study will also benefit from three complementary collaborative projects involving our University partners, funded by the Australian Data Research Commons:

  • Environments to Accelerate Machine Learning-based Discovery (Lead node: Monash University)
  • The Australian Imaging Service (Lead node: University of Sydney)
  • The Australian Characterisation Commons at Scale (Lead node: Monash University)

View the ACEMID research structure

A/Prof Victoria MarKey Monash ACEMID Investigators

Interested in pursuing a research degree as part of the ACEMID team? Contact us at acemid@monash.edu

ACEMID in the news

Melanoma breakthrough – 3D scans offer hope in the fight against skin cancers
Sunrise (Ch 7), 21 June 2021

Skin scanner to transform skin cancer diagnoses
7 Nightly News, 20 June 2021

How 3D skin scans could save lives
Herald Sun, 20 June 2021

3D skin scans hold hope of early melanoma detection
4BC radio, 21 June 2021