Periodic Reporting for period 3 - MMUVR (Elucidating the role of ultraviolet radiation in melanoma)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2019-03-01 al 2020-08-31
Ultraviolet light (UV light) both from the sun and sunbeds is the most significant environmental risk factor for melanoma. It is widely accepted that the potential of UV light to promote tumour development in the skin resides in its ability to damage the genetic material of cells in the skin and promote inflammation (swelling and redness or sunburn).
It is also known that the genetic makeup of an individual (presence melanoma family genes, pigmentation – albinism or red hair, or xeroderma pigmentosum - a condition whereby patients’ cells cannot repair the damage inflicted by UV light) also plays an important role in the development of melanoma. However, our knowledge of how the interactions between particular genetic features and UV light lead to melanoma is still very limited. Our goal is to investigate the relative contributions of UV light and genetic characteristics to melanoma initiation and progression and by revealing the nature of their interactions, inform prevention strategies and the clinical management of this disease.
To better understand how UV light exposure and certain genetic features contribute to melanoma development and progression, we are testing how changes in these genetic features affect the course of melanoma in our UV light-driven model. We will address questions about whether and how pigment genes influence melanoma development, and what happens when cells cannot repair genetic damage caused by UV light. This will reveal whether we can make predictions about the course of melanoma in particular patient populations, and how best to target prevention strategies.