People with hereditary melanoma develop mutations in a cancer gene when exposed to sunlight.

We already know that sunlight exposure and family history are potent risk factors for melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. A new study reveals that one gene in particular is susceptible to ultraviolet light in those with a family history of melanoma.

Researchers at the Karolinska Hospital, Sweden, examined biopsy tissue from melanomas, dysplastic nevi (moles that may lead to cancer), ordinary moles and regular skin tissue. They found mutations in a gene called NRAS, which were induced by ultraviolet light, in 95 per cent of the melanomas. Five out of seven dysplastic nevi had these mutations, but normal moles and normal skin tissue did not. The study suggests that perhaps therapy directed towards the NRAS mutations could be a useful approach for treatment of melanoma.

Source

Journal of the National Cancer Institute 4th June 2003