title: Analysis of the B-RafV600E mutation in cutaneous melanoma patients with occupational sun exposure.
abstract: Sun-exposure is one of the risk factors associated with the development of a cutaneous neoplasm. In melanoma, the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK (MAPK) signaling pathway is constitutively activated through multiple mechanisms, including B-Raf mutation. It has been hypothesized that B-Raf mutations in melanocytic lesions arise from DNA damage induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, it is still discussed if B-Raf mutations are associated with melanoma patients exposed to the sun. Therefore, in the present study, the known B-RafV600E mutation was analysed in melanoma samples from 30 indoor and 38 outdoor workers. B-RafV600E mutation was detected in 52 and 73% of outdoor workers and indoor workers, respectively. Of note, this mutation was identified in 12 of 14 (85%) melanoma of the trunk diagnosed in indoor workers and in 9 of 19 (47%) samples from outdoor workers (p=0.03). By analyzing melanomas of other body sites, no statistical difference in the frequency of B-RafV600E mutation was identified between the groups of workers. It appears that the mutation detected among indoor workers may be associated with a recreational or intermittent exposure to the sun, as usually the trunk is a sun-protected body site. Overall, these data indicate that the B-RafV600E mutation detected in melanoma is not associated with a chronic exposure to the sun. Mutations detected in other genes may also contribute to melanoma development in the subset of patients exposed to UV radiation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Functional Genomics, Section of General Pathology and Oncology, Department of Bio-medical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95124, Italy.
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Candido
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Vittorio Emanuele - Policlinico Hospital, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
authors.forename: Venerando
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rapisarda
authors.affiliation: Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of the Environment, Security, Territory, Food and Health Sciences, University of Messina, Messina 98125, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Functional Genomics, Section of General Pathology and Oncology, Department of Bio-medical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95124, Italy.
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malaponte
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Functional Genomics, Section of General Pathology and Oncology, Department of Bio-medical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95124, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bevelacqua
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, Vittorio Emanuele - Policlinico Hospital, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gangemi
authors.affiliation: Unit of Oncologic Diseases, ASP-Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scalisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McCubrey
authors.affiliation: Experimental Oncology 1, CRO National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maestro
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Demetrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Spandidos
authors.affiliation: Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of the Environment, Security, Territory, Food and Health Sciences, University of Messina, Messina 98125, Italy.
authors.forename: Concettina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fenga
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Functional Genomics, Section of General Pathology and Oncology, Department of Bio-medical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95124, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Libra
mesh_terms: D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000235:genetics*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000235:genetics*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf