Navigation Links
Also in the May 27 JNCI
Date:5/27/2008

Overlapping Tumor Suppressor Genes Independently Involved in Melanoma

Mutations in the p14ARF tumor suppressor gene (ARF) may play a role in melanoma, independent of the effect of the p16 gene.

ARF and p16 are overlapping genes at a location on chromosome 9 that is frequently mutated in melanomas. Although researchers have previously demonstrated that inactivation of the p16 tumor suppressor gene occurs frequently in melanomas, it has been less clear whether alterations in ARF occur independently of p16 in human melanoma.

In the current study, David Polsky, M.D., Ph.D., of the New York University School of Medicine and colleagues examined the two genes in 60 metastatic melanoma tumors from 58 patients.

They found two or more alterations in the ARF gene in 26 of the tumors (43 percent) and two or more alterations in the p16 gene in 13 of the samples (22 percent). In 18 tumor samples (30 percent), ARF was inactivated in the presence of the most common form of p16.

The researchers conclude that loss of ARF can promote melanoma development, even in the presence of normal p16. Human and mouse data provide strong evidence that ARF plays an important independent role in the pathogenesis of human melanoma, the authors write.

In an accompanying editorial, Gordon Peters, Ph.D., of Cancer Research UK London Research Institute provides a broad review of mouse and human data regarding the complex p16/ARF locus and melanoma. Although there are more data pointing to p16s role in melanoma, Peters concludes that researchers should not ignore ARFs possible contribution. For now, we should be content to let them share the limelight, he writes.

Contact:


Contact: Liz Savage
jncimedia@oxfordjournals.org
301-841-1287
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3 4

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Breaking Medicine Technology:Biomatrica Launches DNAgard(TM) for Room Temperature Storage of Tissues and Cell Culture 2Biomatrica Launches DNAgard(TM) for Room Temperature Storage of Tissues and Cell Culture 3Hemodynamic Therapeutics Announces Successful Completion of Initial Phase 2 Clinical Study for Novel Combination Hypertension Therapy 2Hemodynamic Therapeutics Announces Successful Completion of Initial Phase 2 Clinical Study for Novel Combination Hypertension Therapy 3Data Published in Muscle and Nerve Validates the Six-Minute Walk Test as an Outcome Measure in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 2Data Published in Muscle and Nerve Validates the Six-Minute Walk Test as an Outcome Measure in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 3Data Published in Muscle and Nerve Validates the Six-Minute Walk Test as an Outcome Measure in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 4Data Published in Muscle and Nerve Validates the Six-Minute Walk Test as an Outcome Measure in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 5Frost 26amp 3B Sullivan Recognizes Fovia for its HDVR 28R 29 Platform A Disruptive Technology Breakthrough 6205 1Frost 26amp 3B Sullivan Recognizes Fovia for its HDVR 28R 29 Platform A Disruptive Technology Breakthrough 6205 2Frost 26amp 3B Sullivan Recognizes Fovia for its HDVR 28R 29 Platform A Disruptive Technology Breakthrough 6205 3Frost 26amp 3B Sullivan Recognizes Fovia for its HDVR 28R 29 Platform A Disruptive Technology Breakthrough 6205 4Colorado MRI Clinic Blends Ultra Patient Care with Significant Cost Savings 6201 1Colorado MRI Clinic Blends Ultra Patient Care with Significant Cost Savings 6201 2Colorado MRI Clinic Blends Ultra Patient Care with Significant Cost Savings 6201 3Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results 6197 1Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results 6197 2Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results 6197 3Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results 6197 4Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results 6197 5Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results 6197 6