Inherited variation at MC1R and histological characteristics of primary melanoma Journal Article


Authors: Taylor, N. J.; Busam, K. J.; From, L.; Groben, P. A.; Anton-Culver, H.; Cust, A. E.; Begg, C. B.; Dwyer, T.; Gallagher, R. P.; Gruber, S. B.; Orlow, I.; Rosso, S.; Thomas, N. E.; Zanetti, R.; Rebbeck, T. R.; Berwick, M.; Kanetsky, P. A.
Article Title: Inherited variation at MC1R and histological characteristics of primary melanoma
Abstract: Variation in the melanocortin-1receptor (MC1R) gene is associated with pigmentary phenotypes and risk of malignant melanoma. Few studies have reported on MC1R variation with respect to tumor characteristics, especially clinically important prognostic features. We examined associations between MC1R variants and histopathological melanoma characteristics. Study participants were enrolled from nine geographic regions in Australia, Canada, Italy and the United States and were genotyped for MC1R variants classified as high-risk [R] (D84E, R142H, R151C, R160W, and D294H, all nonsense and insertion/deletion) or low-risk [r] (all other nonsynonymous) variants. Tissue was available for 2,160 white participants of the Genes, Environment and Melanoma (GEM) Study with a first incident primary melanoma diagnosis, and underwent centralized pathologic review. No statistically significant associations were observed between MC1R variants and AJCC established prognostic tumor characteristics: Breslow thickness, presence of mitoses or presence of ulceration. However, MC1R was significantly associated with anatomic site of melanoma (p = 0.002) and a positive association was observed between carriage of more than one [R] variant and melanomas arising on the arms (OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.40, 4.09). We also observed statistically significant differences between sun-sensitive and sun-resistant individuals with respect to associations between MC1R genotype and AJCC prognostic tumor characteristics. Our results suggest inherited variation in MC1R may play an influential role in anatomic site presentation of melanomas and may differ with respect to skin pigmentation phenotype. © 2015 Taylor et al.
Keywords: controlled study; human tissue; gene deletion; pathogenesis; united states; cancer incidence; mitosis; gene; melanoma; genetic association; genetic variability; genotype; histology; australia; gene insertion; canada; melanocortin 1 receptor; ulcer; population based case control study; italy; mc1r gene; cancer prognosis; human; article
Journal Title: PLoS ONE
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science  
Date Published: 2015-03-19
Start Page: e0119920
Language: English
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119920
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC4366050
PUBMED: 25790105
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 4 May 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Colin B Begg
    306 Begg
  2. Irene Orlow
    247 Orlow
  3. Klaus J Busam
    689 Busam