Genetics of cutaneous malignant melanoma

In malignant melanoma as in many other malignancies the process of tumorige nesis and progression appears to result from the accumulation of multiple g enetic lesions. Linkage analyses in melanoma families gave evidence for 2 s till unknown predisposing genes, located in the chromosomal bands 1p36 and 9p21. Present data indicate that the p16 (CDKN2) tumor suppressor gene may be involved in early stages of melanoma progression. Additionally, malfunct ion of the p53 gene as well as inactivation of genes not yet identified on chromosome arms 6q, 10p and 10q seem to be involved in early stages of mela noma pathogenesis. However, these genetic alterations could not be associat ed with clinically defined stages of melanoma progression such as radial (R GP) or vertical growth phase (VGP). Paralleling findings in other malignanc ies loss of genetic material of chromosome bands 11q23 and 1p36 as well as gain of chromosome bands 7q33-qter have been detected in late stage tumors and are likely to be associated with the capability to metastasize. Intense efforts in the field of melanoma genetics promise the identification and c haracterization of the respective genes in the near future.