Dr. D'Orazio on UV Signature Mutations in Melanoma

John A. D'Orazio, MD, PhD, associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, discusses ongoing research exploring ultraviolet (UV) radiation signature mutations in patients with melanoma.

Research has shown that there is molecular evidence of UV signature mutations, demonstrating that UV radiation plays a factor in a number of melanoma cases. At UK Markey Cancer Center, the melanocortin-1 receptor (MCR1) is being studied, D'Orazio explains. MCR1 handles the melanocyte's ability to deal with UV radiation by regulating the amount of pigment melanocytes make.

Additionally, MCR1 also plays a role in repairing damage caused by UV radiation. If such damage is not fixed, it may lead to carcinogenesis or melanoma formation, D'Orazio adds.