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Moles vs Melanomas

Moles vs Melanomas A protein produced naturally by the body can make the difference between a mole and melanoma, according to new research (Wajapeyee N et al. Cell. 2008;132[3]:363-374). Investigators at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester disabled genes in cancer-prone cells (that have mutations in the oncogene BRAF) to identify particular genes that block proliferation. One of the genes the researchers discovered encodes a secreted protein called IGFBP7. IGFBP7 inhibits certain signaling pathways in cancer-prone cells containing mutations in the BRAF oncogene and it induces senescence and cell death, or apoptosis. When introduced into melanoma cells, IGFBP7 slowed the cells' growth and triggered apoptosis. In addition, when given systemically, IGFBP7 markedly suppressed growth of human tumors grafted into mice. Finally, the researchers found that normal skin melanocytes express low but detectable levels of IGFBP7. In contrast, moles carrying the BRAF mutation express high levels of IGFBP7, while the expression of IGFBP7 was not detectable in melanomas. The authors suggest that loss of IGFBP7 expression is a critical step in melanoma development. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png JAMA American Medical Association

Moles vs Melanomas

Hampton, Tracy
JAMA , Volume 299 (13) – Apr 2, 2008
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Moles vs Melanomas

Abstract

A protein produced naturally by the body can make the difference between a mole and melanoma, according to new research (Wajapeyee N et al. Cell. 2008;132[3]:363-374). Investigators at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester disabled genes in cancer-prone cells (that have mutations in the oncogene BRAF) to identify particular genes that block proliferation. One of the genes the researchers discovered encodes a secreted protein called IGFBP7. IGFBP7 inhibits certain...
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Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0098-7484
eISSN
1538-3598
DOI
10.1001/jama.299.13.1533-c
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

A protein produced naturally by the body can make the difference between a mole and melanoma, according to new research (Wajapeyee N et al. Cell. 2008;132[3]:363-374). Investigators at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester disabled genes in cancer-prone cells (that have mutations in the oncogene BRAF) to identify particular genes that block proliferation. One of the genes the researchers discovered encodes a secreted protein called IGFBP7. IGFBP7 inhibits certain signaling pathways in cancer-prone cells containing mutations in the BRAF oncogene and it induces senescence and cell death, or apoptosis. When introduced into melanoma cells, IGFBP7 slowed the cells' growth and triggered apoptosis. In addition, when given systemically, IGFBP7 markedly suppressed growth of human tumors grafted into mice. Finally, the researchers found that normal skin melanocytes express low but detectable levels of IGFBP7. In contrast, moles carrying the BRAF mutation express high levels of IGFBP7, while the expression of IGFBP7 was not detectable in melanomas. The authors suggest that loss of IGFBP7 expression is a critical step in melanoma development.

Journal

JAMA – American Medical Association

Published: Apr 2, 2008

Keywords: melanoma

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