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Comment
. 2010 Jan;130(1):12-4.
doi: 10.1038/jid.2009.332.

Melanoma molecular subtypes: unifying and paradoxical results

Nancy E Thomas  1 , Peter A Kanetsky, Colin B Begg, Kathleen Conway, Marianne Berwick
Affiliations
Comment

Melanoma molecular subtypes: unifying and paradoxical results

Nancy E Thomas et al. J Invest Dermatol. 2010 Jan.

Abstract

In this issue, Hacker and colleagues provide further evidence that molecular subtypes of malignant melanoma may develop along divergent pathways. The authors did not find an association between somatic BRAF-mutant melanoma and germline melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene status. We discuss this seeming paradox in light of previous studies demonstrating strong associations.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors state no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Potential opposing effects of MC1R variant status upon risk of BRAF-mutant melanoma
Functional MC1R allows the production of the darker eumelanin pigment and the tanning response. Carriage of decrease-of-function MC1R variants may allow increased BRAF-mutant melanoma risk through decreased photo-protection by eumelanin and attenuation of DNA damage response mechanisms. In opposition, more functional MC1R variants may increase risk through increased eumelanin leading to more oxidative stress and increase sun exposure due to less sun sensitivity.
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