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International Journal of Clinical Oncology

Published in:

01-06-2014 | Original Article

NRAS mutations in primary and metastatic melanomas of Japanese patients

Authors: Hisashi Uhara, Atsuko Ashida, Hiroshi Koga, Eisaku Ogawa, Aya Uchiyama, Ryuhei Uchiyama, Koichi Hayashi, Yukiko Kiniwa, Ryuhei Okuyama

Published in: International Journal of Clinical Oncology | Issue 3/2014

Abstract

Background

Characterization of the MAPK signaling pathway in melanoma has led to the development of MEK inhibitors for the treatment of NRAS-mutated melanoma. The success of molecular-targeted therapies underscores the need to identify mutations in target genes. Most of the current data on genetic mutations have been obtained from Caucasian melanoma patients, and screenings of Asian populations are limited.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to examine NRAS mutations in primary and metastatic lesions of Japanese melanoma patients.

Methods

Clinical melanoma specimens were collected from 127 Japanese patients, including primary (n = 67), metastatic (n = 25) and paired primary and metastatic lesions (n = 35). NRAS mutations in exons 1 and 2 were assessed by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing.

Results

The incidence of NRAS mutations was 7.1 %. NRAS ^Q61 was the predominant genetic alteration (77.8 %). NRAS mutations were most frequently detected in acral melanomas (9.3 %), followed by melanomas without chronic sun-induced damage (7.0 %) and mucosal melanomas (4.8 %), and were not detected in melanomas with chronic sun-induced damage. In addition, NRAS mutations were more prevalent in the extremities than in other sites. The NRAS sequence in metastatic lesions did not match that of the primary tumor in one case.

Conclusion

The frequency of NRAS mutations is lower in the Asian population than in Caucasian patients. The observed heterogeneity of melanoma suggests that genotyping of both primary and metastatic lesions is important to identify candidate patients for molecular-targeted therapies.

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Title: NRAS mutations in primary and metastatic melanomas of Japanese patients
Authors: Hisashi Uhara
Atsuko Ashida
Hiroshi Koga
Eisaku Ogawa
Aya Uchiyama
Ryuhei Uchiyama
Koichi Hayashi
Yukiko Kiniwa
Ryuhei Okuyama
Publication date: 01-06-2014
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: International Journal of Clinical Oncology / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1341-9625
Electronic ISSN: 1437-7772
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-013-0573-2

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Background

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