How Genes Affect Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer around the world. Recent discoveries in genetics are helping us understand why some people get skin cancer and how it develops. This knowledge is important to finding new treatments and ways to prevent the disease.
Key Genes and Pathways
Genes like RB, p53, and RAS are very important in skin cancer. They usually help control how cells grow, but when they have mutations, they can cause cells to grow out of control, leading to cancer. For example, the p53 gene, known as the “guardian of the genome,” is often changed in skin cancers related to sun exposure.
Inherited Risk Factors
Some people inherit genetic conditions that make them more likely to get skin cancer. Conditions like basal cell nevus syndrome and xeroderma pigmentosum disrupt how DNA repairs itself after sun damage, significantly increasing cancer risk. Understanding these conditions helps us learn more about how all skin cancers develop.
Advances in Gene Research
Scientists use advanced genetic tools to find specific mutations linked to skin cancer. For example, changes in the genes TERT and TRF1, which help protect the ends of chromosomes, can increase the risk of melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. These findings could lead to personalised treatments tailored to the genetic profile of each patient’s cancer.
Genes and Skin Color
Genes that determine skin colour, like MC1R, also affect skin cancer risk. People with lighter skin, often with specific variants of these genes, are more sensitive to sun damage, raising their skin cancer risk. This information is crucial for advising people on protecting themselves from the sun, especially those more vulnerable.
Looking Ahead
Our growing understanding of the genetic causes of skin cancer offers new hope. It improves our ability to predict who might get skin cancer and to develop treatments that target the disease more effectively. With ongoing research, we can aim to prevent this common disease or treat it more successfully in the future.
References:
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