Gene variants increase risk of both skin cancer and obesity

Scientists have found a link between skin cancer and the FTO
gene, which was already associated with obesity. Variants in the DNA sequence
of FTO were associated with an increased risk of malignant melanoma, the
deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the
UK with about 12,800
new cases and about 2,200 deaths each year.

It is the first time that researchers have found variants
of FTO associated with health problems unrelated to being overweight. Sometimes
called the 'fat gene', people carrying a common variant are
more likely to be overweight or obese, and FTO has also therefore been
associated with weight-related health issues including diabetes.

The study looked at data from 13,000 malignant melanoma
patients and 60,000 healthy individuals. The results suggest that FTO plays a
more complex role in the body than previously thought.

'When scientists have tried to understand how the FTO gene
behaves, so far they've only examined its role in metabolism and appetite', said
Dr Mark Iles, a senior research fellow at the Leeds Institute of Molecular
Medicine and leader of the study. He added that the link to melanoma 'raises
the question whether future research will reveal that the gene has a role in
even more diseases. It's now clear we don't know enough about what this
intriguing gene does'.

Dr Julie Sharp, senior science information manager at Cancer
Research UK, suggested that, if confirmed the findings might 'provide new
targets for the development of drugs to treat melanoma. Advances in
understanding more about the molecules driving skin cancer have already enabled
us to develop important new skin cancer drugs that will make a real difference
for patients'.

Other
gene variants have previously been linked to melanoma and susceptibility to
the condition can run in the family. However, the most common cause of
malignant melanoma is still considered to be exposure to ultraviolet radiation
from sunlight. Use of sunbeds is also considered a risk factor.

Dr Sharp confirmed that the best way to avoid melanoma was to
avoid sunbeds and over-exposure to sunlight. 'Getting a painful sunburn just
once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma',
she said.