Genetic Analysis of Familial Melanoma

In collaboration with members of The International Melanoma Genetics Consortium, we propose to study melanoma in families lacking mutations in the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2 (CDKN2A), or the cyclin-dependant kinase 4 (CDK4) genes. CDKN2 and CDK4 are both genes that encode presumed tumor suppressor genes, mutant forms of which are known to cause increased susceptibility to melanoma. The purpose of the present study then is to confirm the existence of and to identify additional gene(s) involved in heritable melanoma (cutaneous and ocular) and their precursor lesions (atypical nevi) by linkage analysis and gene mapping strategies. It is clear that the risk to develop atypical nevi and/or melanoma is strongly influenced by genetic and environmental factors (e.g. sun exposure). Characterization of such genes could provide important insights into the inheritance, pathogenesis, and treatment of this increasingly important disease.