Multi-ethnic study uncovers unique origins of melanoma types and actionable molecular targets

Scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Barretos Cancer Hospital (Brazil), and partners have identified multi-omics markers of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) that are critically involved in immune function, have the potential to drive cancer development, and could be used to predict the survival of patients with cutaneous melanoma, which occurs mainly in fair-skinned people.

The study, published in Nature Communications, also reveals important features of melanomas that are not associated with UV exposure; this opens a window of opportunity for new therapeutic targets for a less obvious population: patients with acral melanoma, which is the most common type of melanoma in darker-skinned people.

Vicente ALSA, Novoloaca A, Cahais V, Awada Z, Cuenin C, Spitz N, et al.
Cutaneous and acral melanoma cross-OMICs reveals prognostic cancer drivers associated with pathobiology and ultraviolet exposure
Nat Commun, Published online 15 July 2022;
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31488-w

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