Inherited Genetic Markers Predictive of Survival Prognosis for Patients with Melanoma

Source: Oncology Nurse Advisor, February 2016

Prognosis for patients with cutaneous melanoma may be predicted by an inherited genetic marker that provides a personalized tool to gauge a person’s survival and determine if closer monitoring is needed in the years following surgery. These findings, from a novel analysis of immunoregulatory pathways, were published in Clinical Cancer Research (doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-15-2066).

Melanoma accounts for almost 10 000 of the more than 13 000 skin cancer deaths each year, according to the American Cancer Society. A critical question is determining which patients with melanoma are at greatest risk; therefore, more specific and sensitive tests for tailoring prognosis to individual patients are needed.

This study provides strong evidence supporting the use of genetic markers to improve clinicians’ ability to determine a prognosis for patients with melanoma. This complements existing tools used in clinical practice.