(Press-News.org) Researchers from The University of Queensland and The Alfred hospital in Melbourne have identified gene variants which may contribute to people being at higher risk for nodular melanoma.
Dr Mitchell Stark from UQ’s Frazer Institute said nodular melanoma only accounts for around 14 per cent of invasive melanoma cases, but the aggressive subtype is the largest contributor to melanoma deaths.
“Melanoma is highly curable by surgery when diagnosed early, but nodular melanoma is often detected later because of its rapid growth rate and short window of opportunity for detection and diagnosis,” Dr Stark said.
“Up to 27 per cent of nodular melanoma cases appear as a skin-coloured tumour, as opposed to other more pigmented melanomas, adding an additional challenge to early diagnosis.
“We hope that by identifying these rare variants, it could help establish screening programs to determine the people most at risk.”
The research project analysed 500 genes already associated with melanoma and cancer risk.
“We identified 39 genes that had the greatest frequency of DNA variants in nodular melanoma compared to other melanoma subtypes,” Dr Stark said.
“Of those, four genes with rare DNA variants had the greatest frequency in nodular melanoma patients.”
Associate Professor Victoria Mar, Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred, said the information would enable clinicians to more effectively identify individuals at high risk of nodular melanoma, for targeted screening.
“We previously did not have a common genetic risk factor specific to the disease,” Dr Mar said.
“Genetic testing can help us identify who might be at greater risk of developing nodular melanoma.
“Once we know someone has these gene variants, it’s then possible to offer education and more appropriate screening to hopefully catch it earlier and improve patient outcomes.”
The research was based at the Translational Research Institute and supported by funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Queensland Government and The Alfred Foundation.
The research is published in the British Journal of Dermatology.
END
Potential genetic screening for aggressive melanoma
Researchers from The University of Queensland and The Alfred hospital in Melbourne have identified gene variants which may contribute to people being at higher risk for nodular melanoma.
2023-10-04
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Striking inequalities in provision of life-saving heart valve replacement in England
2023-10-04
Public health initiatives to understand and tackle these inequalities should be prioritised, say the researchers.
The aortic valve keeps blood flowing from the heart's lower left chamber (left ventricle) to the aorta—the main artery bringing blood from the heart to the body. Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows as a result of calcium build-up, impeding normal blood flow. This causes shortness of breath, light headedness, and chest pain (angina).
Aortic valve replacement (AVR) not only relieves these symptoms, but increases life expectancy, and improves quality of life, say the researchers, adding that up to 1 in 4 of those with severe or very severe aortic stenosis ...
Critical data gaps on doctor assisted deaths in Oregon amid rise in participants
2023-10-04
Information on clinical complications is often missing, while key information on the factors behind medical decision-making, the effectiveness of the lethal drugs used, and the extent of palliative care support isn’t even collected, reveals the review.
Physician assisted suicide as it’s formally known has been legal in the US state of Oregon since 1997 under the Death with Dignity Act.
The legislation allows terminally ill residents over the age of 18 to hasten their death by taking lethal drugs prescribed by a doctor, providing they are capable of making and communicating healthcare ...
New robot could help diagnose breast cancer early
2023-10-04
A device has been created that could carry out Clinical Breast Examinations (CBE).
The manipulator, designed by a team at the University of Bristol and based at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, is able to apply very specific forces over a range similar to forces used by human examiners and can detect lumps using sensor technology at larger depths than before.
This could revolutionise how women monitor their breast health by giving them access to safe electronic CBEs, located in easily accessible places, such as pharmacies and health centres, which provide accurate results.
Precision, repeatability and ...
A prehistoric cosmic airburst preceded the advent of agriculture in the Levant
2023-10-04
Agriculture in Syria started with a bang 12,800 years ago as a fragmented comet slammed into the Earth’s atmosphere. The explosion and subsequent environmental changes forced hunter-gatherers in the prehistoric settlement of Abu Hureyra to adopt agricultural practices to boost their chances for survival.
That’s the assertion made by an international group of scientists in one of four related research papers, all appearing in the journal Science Open: Airbursts and Cratering Impacts. The papers ...
Is universal screening for type 1 diabetes around the corner?
2023-10-04
The the latest data on universal screening for type 1 diabetes (T1D) is reveiwed in a session at this year’s Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Hamburg, Germany (2-6 October). The talk will be given by Dr Emily K. Sims, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Research by various groups has established that individuals with multiple islet autoantibodies (biomarkers showing that the body is attacking and killing its own insulin producing beta cells in ...
Metabolic signature can help predict which smokers will develop type 2 diabetes
2023-10-04
New research being presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Hamburg (2-6 Oct) finds that cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in part by affecting a variety of metabolites—small chemicals produced in the processes of metabolism—that circulate in the bloodstream.
The influence of these metabolic changes on diabetes risk appears to be amplified in individuals with genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
The analysis of over 93,000 UK Biobank participants also identified a metabolic ...
Metabolically healthy obesity: fact or fiction?
2023-10-04
A session at this year’s Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes will explore the latest data on the concept of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) – more commonly known by the public as ‘fat but fit’. Professor Matthias Blüher, University of Leipzig, Leipzig and Helmholtz Center Munich, Germany will explain how we define MHO and ask if it can really be described as healthy.
“Some 15-20% of people living with obesity have none ...
Emergency department screening could detect thousands of undiagnosed prediabetes and diabetes cases, UK study suggests
2023-10-04
The introduction of screening for type 2 diabetes in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments could uncover thousands of previously undiagnosed cases every year, suggests new research being presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Hamburg (2-6 Oct).
“Early diagnosis is the best way to avoid the devastating complications of type 2 diabetes, and offers the best chance of living a long and healthy life”, says Professor Edward Jude, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, UK. “Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be absent and can be tricky ...
New stem cell-derived islet therapy improves blood sugar control in all treated patients, with three achieving insulin independence
2023-10-04
Six adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated with stem cell-derived islet cells (VX-880) have shown improved blood sugar control with three participants achieving insulin independence, according to new research being presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Hamburg (2-6 Oct).
All patients treated with VX-880 have demonstrated improved glycaemic control, as evidenced by elimination of severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), improvements in HbA1c (a measure of long-term sugar levels) and the amount of time their ...
New pipeline makes valuable organic acid from plants — saving money and emissions
2023-10-03
In a breakthrough for environmentally friendly chemical production, researchers at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) have developed an economical way to make succinic acid, an important industrial chemical, from sugarcane.
The team of University of Illinois and Princeton University researchers created a cost-effective, end-to-end pipeline for this valuable organic acid by engineering a tough, acid-tolerant yeast as the fermenting agent, avoiding costly steps in downstream processing. Succinic acid is a widely ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
On the origin (and fate) of plants that never bloom
Male bodybuilders face high risk of sudden cardiac death, especially those who compete professionally
For galaxies forming stars, it’s not about how much gas there is but where you find it
Landmark report reveals key challenges facing adolescents
How serious is your brain injury? New criteria will reveal more
Cold sore viral infection implicated in development of Alzheimer’s disease
Thousands of young children worldwide still swallowing magnets despite increased regs
Standardising disposable vape devices may curb young people’s desire to try them
The Lancet: Globally the health of adolescents is at a tipping point; action needed to tackle rising threats to young people’s health and wellbeing
New genetic test can diagnose brain tumors in as little as two hours
Pulmonary embolism in children more common than previously thought
Combined oral contraceptives triple risk of cryptogenic stroke in young women, new study shows
Simple process extends lifetime of perovskite solar cells
Candidate drug that boosts protective brain protein in mice has potential to treat Alzheimer’s Disease
Scientists discover one of the world’s thinnest semiconductor junctions forming inside a quantum material
Illinois researchers explore COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and motivations, finding common values
Study identifies new mechanism for reducing female post-operative pain
Changes in BMI during adolescence may explain link between air pollution exposure and insulin resistance, study shows
Marshall University researchers identify promising treatment for fentanyl-xylazine overdoses
Research team homes in on genetics behind blackberry thorns
UF water researchers develop prediction system for harmful algae
Remotely moving objects underwater using sound #ASA188
From tiny worms to giant squid: new global database reveals the hidden power of body size in the ocean
Cell Painting identifies flavonoids that are toxic to bladder cancer cells
American College of Cardiology issues guidance on using Apple Watch for heart health monitoring
2025 Andreas Grüntzig Ethica Award presented to Lars Wallentin and Stefan James on behalf of Swedish cardiovascular registry experts
Research reveals unexpected roles of TEAD proteins in neurodevelopment
UTA ATLAS team shares Breakthrough Prize in physics
New research on ALS opens up for early treatment
Molecules in blood and urine could reveal how much ultra-processed food you eat
[Press-News.org] Potential genetic screening for aggressive melanomaResearchers from The University of Queensland and The Alfred hospital in Melbourne have identified gene variants which may contribute to people being at higher risk for nodular melanoma.