Team achieves breakthrough in diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer

Source: Medical Express, March 2016

In collaboration with researchers from UGent, VIB scientists from KU Leuven have revealed a remarkable link between malignant melanoma and a non-coding RNA gene called SAMMSON. The SAMMSON gene is specifically expressed in human malignant melanoma and, strikingly, the growth of aggressive skin cancer is highly dependent on this gene. The conclusions could pave the way for improved diagnostic tools and skin cancer treatment. The study, led by professor Jean-Christophe Marine (VIB/KU Leuven) and professor Pieter Mestdagh (UGent), is expected to cause quite a stir after its upcoming publication in the leading scientific journal Nature.

While a large share of the human genome has long been considered ‘junk DNA’ because it doesn’t contribute to protein coding, recent insights indicate that it does produce many non-coding RNAs that play important roles in essential biological processes and diseases. The labs of prof. Marine (VIB/KU Leuven) and prof. Mestdagh (UGent) have been studying the contribution of non-coding RNA genes in cancer for a couple of years now. They are particularly interested in the long types of non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes.