one of the most common cancers, is often thought of as only being on
the skin, but it can occur in the eye; and when it does is often fatal,
so present research identifying a source of its spreading is critical.
The
finding at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis establishing a gene linked
to the spread of eye melanoma will help lead to more effective
treatments.
The
gene is called BAP1 and is present in 84 percent of the eye tumors that
metastasize. This is the process that can cause death. Scientists
believe mutations in metastasis suppressor genes may be involved in the
spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
“Scientists
and physicians have been waiting for a rational, therapeutic target
that we could use to treat high-risk patients,” says J. William Harbour,
MD., first author and Washington University ophthalmologist “We believe
this discovery may provide insights needed to hasten the development of
therapies for these patients.”
and physicians have been waiting for a rational, therapeutic target
that we could use to treat high-risk patients,” says J. William Harbour,
MD., first author and Washington University ophthalmologist “We believe
this discovery may provide insights needed to hasten the development of
therapies for these patients.”
Ocular
melanoma, also called uveal melanoma, is the most common eye cancer and
the second-most common form of melanoma, striking about 2,000 adults in
the United States each year. It affects people over 50. Half of
these do spread and become fatal, often to the liver with death
occurring within months.
melanoma, also called uveal melanoma, is the most common eye cancer and
the second-most common form of melanoma, striking about 2,000 adults in
the United States each year. It affects people over 50. Half of
these do spread and become fatal, often to the liver with death
occurring within months.
What
scientists have found is that the BAP1 mutation is the second common
mutation in ocular melanoma, the only one also linked to metastasis.
scientists have found is that the BAP1 mutation is the second common
mutation in ocular melanoma, the only one also linked to metastasis.
“This
finding will fundamentally alter the concepts and methodologies
employed in patient management and in research in this field,” Bowcock
says. “For example, it should lead to new diagnostic tests to
distinguish benign from malignant growths of the eye, which could avoid
thousands of needless, vision-threatening treatments each year while
allowing earlier interventions in the few patients who truly harbor a
malignant melanoma. In addition, the insights gained from this research
into how BAP1 functions at a molecular level might pave the way for
innovative new therapeutic approaches to the previously recalcitrant
problem of metastatic disease.”
finding will fundamentally alter the concepts and methodologies
employed in patient management and in research in this field,” Bowcock
says. “For example, it should lead to new diagnostic tests to
distinguish benign from malignant growths of the eye, which could avoid
thousands of needless, vision-threatening treatments each year while
allowing earlier interventions in the few patients who truly harbor a
malignant melanoma. In addition, the insights gained from this research
into how BAP1 functions at a molecular level might pave the way for
innovative new therapeutic approaches to the previously recalcitrant
problem of metastatic disease.”
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