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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
Published on: June 7, 2019
Role of the CDKN2A locus in patients with multiple primary melanomas
Susana Puig1, Josep Malvehy, Cèlia Badenas
1Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. spuig@clinic.ub.es
Purpose:
We have studied a consecutive case series of patients with multiple primary melanoma (MPM) for the involvement of the melanoma susceptibility loci CDKN2A and CDK4.
Patients And Methods:
One hundred four MPM patients (81 patients with two primary melanomas, 14 with three, five with four, one with five, two with six, and one with seven) were included.
Results:
Seven different CDKN2A germline mutations were identified in 17 patients (16.3%). In total, we identified 15 CDKN2A exon 2, one exon 1alpha missense mutation, and one exon 1beta frameshift mutation. The age of onset was significantly lower and the number of primary melanomas higher in patients with mutations. CDKN2A mutations were more frequent in patients with familial history of melanoma (35.5%) compared with patients without (8.2%), with a relative risk (RR) of 4.32 (95% CI, 1.76 to 10.64; P = .001), and in patients with more than two melanomas (39.1%) compared with patients with only two melanomas (10%) with an RR of 3.29 (95% CI, 1.7 to 6.3; P = .002). The A148T polymorphism was more frequent in patients with MPMs than in the control population (P = .05). A variant of uncertain significance, A127S, was also detected in one patient. No CDK4 mutations were identified, suggesting that it has a low impact in susceptibility to MPM.
Conclusion:
MPM patients are good candidates for CDKN2A mutational screening. These patients and some of their siblings should be included in a program of specific follow-up with total body photography and digital dermoscopy, which will result in the early detection of melanoma in this subset of high-risk patients and improve phenotypic characterization.
Insights
Genetic screening for CDKN2A mutations is recommended for multiple primary melanoma (MPM) patients, as these mutations are linked to earlier onset and increased melanoma risk. Early detection programs are crucial for high-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Dermatology
- Oncology
Background:
- Multiple primary melanoma (MPM) presents a significant clinical challenge.
- Understanding the genetic basis of MPM is crucial for risk stratification and early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of melanoma susceptibility loci CDKN2A and CDK4 in patients with multiple primary melanoma (MPM).
Main Methods:
- A consecutive case series of 104 MPM patients was analyzed.
- Germline DNA was screened for mutations in CDKN2A and CDK4 genes.
Main Results:
- CDKN2A germline mutations were identified in 16.3% of MPM patients.
- Mutations were associated with earlier age of onset and a higher number of primary melanomas.
- CDKN2A mutations were significantly more frequent in patients with a family history of melanoma and those with more than two primary melanomas.
Conclusions:
- MPM patients are strong candidates for CDKN2A mutational screening.
- Targeted surveillance programs, including total body photography and digital dermoscopy, are recommended for high-risk patients and their families.
- These measures can lead to early melanoma detection and improved phenotypic characterization.
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