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

Working towards zero deaths from melanoma

We're 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; The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland and Monash University in Victoria.

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 early melanoma.

Project update: The ACRF ACEMID project has received a wonderful response from the community to participate in our research. We have received over 3700 expressions of interest for NSW since our National Launch took place in September 2021. The ACEMID team would like to thank everyone for their willingness to contribute to this important work.

Dermatology Department in Westmead Hospital WSLHD has commenced recruitment on 21 July 2022!

Up until end of February 2023, our sites have recruited a combined 1030 participants into our study and our team is working with eHealth NSW and Local Health Districts to open more sites in 2023 to build capacity for the project.

The project will improve access for all participants.

In partnership with eHealth NSW, our project will deliver teledermatology with Local Health Services, providing a connected and far-reaching early melanoma detection technology and program.

The ACRF funded Vectra WB360 3D total body imaging technology.

The total body 3D imaging technology at the core of ACRF ACEMID will allow for objective and secure collection of surface photography in a few milliseconds. The generated avatars enable documentation of 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 quick and cost-effective skin screening and a reduction of melanoma incidence.

Learn more about ACRF ACEMID

Research and clinical strength

The research and clinical strength underpinning the proposed ACRF ACEMID initiative include 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 Gray, University of Queensland

View a diagram of the ACEMID research structure (png, 289kb)

Cohort study goals

The goals of the ACRF ACEMID cohort study is to:

Establish the largest, world-first, prospectively collected standardised 3D total body skin surface image database, including pathology imaging with linkage to meta-data, including genomic data.
Facilitate the prospective validation of available melanoma risk tools to inform individualised risk-stratified screening and surveillance programs for the Australian population and quantify objective risk measures which may improve discrimination of risk.
Develop next-generation diagnostics using the skin surface research repository to overcome the current high degree of variability in diagnostic accuracy of melanoma and other skin cancers.
Reduce the overarching burden, morbidity and mortality associated with the 17,000 melanomas occurring yearly in Australia, by helping ensure that specialist skin cancer services are targeted effectively and equitably to Australians most in need.
Assess the impact of new technologies, including 3D total body skin surface imaging, telehealth and novel diagnostics, on participant acceptability and quality of life.
Model the potential cost savings to the patient and the health care system associated with a more targeted and accurate screening approach compared to the current ad hoc approach.
Utilise the Australian Imaging Service (AIS), the national platform for data management and informatics co-invested by the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC), for our imaging research repository.