title: Lack of SF3B1 R625 mutations in cutaneous melanoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melanoma is a deadly disease affecting people worldwide. Genetic studies have identified different melanoma subtypes characterized by specific recurrently mutated genes and led to the successful clinical introduction of targeted therapies. Hotspot mutations in SF3B1 were recently reported in uveal melanoma. Our aim was to see if these mutations also occur in cutaneous melanoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We analyzed a cohort of 85 cutaneous melanoma including 22 superficial spreading, 24 acral-lentiginous, 36 nodular, and 3 lentigo-maligna melanomas. Exon 14 of SF3B1, containing the site of recurrent mutations described in uveal melanoma, was sequenced in all samples. Additionally, NRAS exon 1 and 2 and BRAF exon 15 were sequenced in all, KIT exons 9, 11, 13, 17, and 18 in 30 samples. High numbers of BRAF and NRAS mutations were identified with frequencies varying according to melanoma subtype. None of the samples were found to harbor a SF3B1 mutation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that recurrent mutations in codon 625 of SF3B1 as reported in uveal melanoma are not present in most types of cutaneous melanoma. This highlights the genetic differences between cutaneous and uveal melanoma and the need for subtype specific therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, Essen 45147, Germany.
authors.forename: Bastian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bielefeld
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sucker
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hillen
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schadendorf
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeschnigk
authors.forename: Klaus G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Griewank
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000378:metabolism; D000072260:RNA Splicing Factors; D017413:Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear / Q000235:genetics*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D000098943:Uveal Melanoma
chemical_list: D010750:Phosphoproteins; D000072260:RNA Splicing Factors; D017413:Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear; C112491:SF3B1 protein, human; C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf