Scientists Unravel Crucial Skin Cancer Switch
06 April 2009 - Up to 70 per cent of melanoma skin cancers could be triggered by a particular genetic mutation, according to Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) scientists. Researchers had previously found that the BRAF gene is damaged or mutated in up to 70 per cent of human melanoma, but they did not know whether this was a cause or result of the cancer.
Now, the same group of researchers has discovered that acquiring the BRAF mutation can be the first event in the cascade of genetic changes that eventually leads to melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer.
Lead author Professor Richard Marais says: “We know that excessive sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer, but not much is known about the genetics behind it.
“Our study shows that the genetic damage of BRAF is the first step in skin cancer development. Understanding this process will help us develop more effective treatments for the disease.”
There are about 9,500 new cases of malignant melanoma and more than 2,300 deaths from the disease each year in the UK.
