Moles hold the key to melanoma genes

Moles hold the key to melanoma genes. New study reveals genes for melanoma risk %0A " - Press release issued by Kings College London - Strictly embargoed for - 18.00 hours British Summer Time - Sunday 5 July 2009 A research team led by the Twin Research Department at King's College London with colleagues from Imperial College London, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Brisbane Queensland Institute of Medical Research and Leeds has found novel genes for melanoma in one of several studies published in . Melanoma incidence has risen rapidly over the last 30 years, so discovering genes that may predict those most at risk of this deadly tumour may prevent increased cases of mortality. It is already known that large numbers of moles (nevi) are the most important risk factor for melanoma - more so than over-exposure to sunshine or use of sunbeds. Dr Mario Falchi, the first author of the study, who now works at the Department of Genomic Medicine, Imperial College London, said: "In this study we identified two new genes that confer risk of developing melanoma, most probably by regulating the number of nevi. Approximately one in eleven people of European ancestry carry two copies of both gene variants. These people show twice the number of nevi and double the risk for melanoma." Research had previously shown that genes influencing the number of moles (nevi) might overlap with those for melanoma.