ACEMID
ACRF Australian Centre of Excellence in
Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID)
An Australian Cancer Research Foundation Flagship Centre
Working towards zero deaths from melanoma
Welcome to the Victorian hub of the Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis (ACEMID), a national network of cutting-edge imaging technology created to advance the detection and management of melanoma.
Australia has the world’s highest rate of melanoma, with 1,700 Australians dying of the condition each year. No standardised diagnosis pathway exists, and treatment costs in Australia exceed AUD $1 billion per year.
The ACEMID infrastructure comprises 15 Vectra 3D whole body scanners, valued at AU$10 million and funded by generous donations via the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. The ACEMID project is led at a national level by the University of Queensland, with Victorian sites managed by Monash University and New South Wales sites managed by the University of Sydney.
The first Victorian site is at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Other sites include Skin Health Institute, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Bendigo Health and Bass Coast Hospital Wonthaggi
The sites will serve as hubs for clinical research projects that will transform melanoma outcomes through earlier detection, standardisation of diagnosis, and equitable access for regional Australians.
Harnessing cutting edge technology
The whole-body scanning machines will allow for objective, secure collection of skin photography in milliseconds. Avatars generated by the imaging software will enable systemized and incredibly detailed documentation of skin surfaces (except soles of feet, scalp and areas covered by clothing). Follow-up photography at 6-12 monthly intervals will allow for the detection of new or changing lesions.
Together, team members will develop Artificial Intelligence technology that will analyse these high-quality images and allow rapid, highly accurate and cost-effective screening for melanoma.
This disruptive technology will enable teledermatology with regional health services, providing rural Australians with a locally accessible early melanoma detection and surveillance program.
Key Monash Investigators
- A/Prof Victoria Mar
Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service - Prof Paul Bonnington
- A/Prof Zongyuan Ge
- Chris Mac Manus
- Prof Rory Wolfe
Interested in pursuing a research degree as part of the ACEMID team? Contact us at acemid@monash.edu
Our research
Monash University currently runs two clinical trials utilizing the ACEMID platform:
1. The ACEMID Cohort Study |
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Project status: ACCEPTING EXPRESSIONS OF INTERESTCOVID permitting, we anticipate that imaging will commence before the end of 2021 at Alfred Health and the Skin Health Institute, and early next year for the remaining sites. |
2. Melanoma surveillance photography to improve early detection in high-risk individuals (IMAGE) Trial |
Melanoma Surveillance Photography (MSP) is a comprehensive skin surveillance method, but it lacks evidence that shows it directly improves outcomes from melanoma, and is currently not used in routine standard care. The IMAGE trial aims to provide that evidence, allowing Australia’s Medical Services Advisory Committee to make recommendations around Medicare funding for MSP in future. Project status: RECRUITING NOW |
ACEMID in the news
Monash University and Alfred Health take part in world-first approach to improve melanoma outcomes using 3D whole body imaging
Monash News, 13 September 2021
Over $17m secured in clinical trials cohort studies grant scheme
Monash News, 24 June 2021
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
3D skin scans hold hope of early melanoma detection
4BC radio, 21 June 2021
How 3D skin scans could save lives
Herald Sun, 20 June 2021
National ACEMID Platform
The research and clinical strength underpinning the national 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 here.
Access the National ACEMID site here.
Read about National and Queensland State ACEMID Project lead Prof. H Peter Soyer here.