Melanoma news & updates: genetic mutation in skin cancer cells identified, study confirms

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Researchers have found a key genetic mutation in melanoma skin cancer cells, which could pave way to effective treatment strategies against the disease.

In a study published in the journal Science Signaling, researchers have identified the protein complex APC/C, an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex which may help suppress tumor in melanoma and other cancers including colorectal, breast cancer and lymphoma, News Medical reports. The website added that APC/C is responsible for cell replication cycle and becomes impaired when cancer ravages the body.

"Cdh1, a component of this complex, restricted cell proliferation in melanocytes by promoting the degradation of the transcription factor PAX3. However, Cdh1 abundance was decreased in primary and advanced melanoma patient samples compared to normal skin tissue, and the abundance of PAX3 was increased," the study stated.

The researchers added that introducing more Cdh1 to lab mice with melanoma cells, they found that the cancer cells decreased and became more susceptible to chemotherapy treatment. This suggests that suppressing Cdh1 in the body can make chemotherapy treatments more effective in melanoma patients.

"These findings have significant implications to the field of cancer by providing important insights into molecular genetics of melanoma and could lead to the identification of novel preventive strategies and therapeutic targets for melanoma," said Dr. Rutai Cui, coauthor of the study and associate professor of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics at Boston University School of Medicine, via Eureka Alert.

The researchers added that the study could pave way for more medical treatment strategies for melanoma.

"Our ultimate goal is to reduce melanoma mortality through the discovery of effective and targeted small molecules for melanoma treatment. We believe that these results will provide a solid foundation towards successfully achieving our goal," said Cuid.

Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer and stems from the cells that give our skin pigment, melanin (melanocytes). It could also start in other parts of the body including intestines, mouth and even the eyes. According to Mayo Clinic, it is unclear how melanoma skin cancer starts. However, some factors that increase the risk of the deadly skin cancer include exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radition.

The signs of symptoms of skin-related melanoma usually involve any change in a mole in the body or the development of an unusual growth on the skin. According to Melanoma News Today, patients with melanoma may acquire symptoms including loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer deaths in the states with more than 10,000 to 13,000 deaths annually.