Qld researchers discover new skin cancer genes

Queensland is the skin cancer capital of the world, but the state’s scientists have just taken a giant leap toward improving treatment for the deadly scourge.

QUEENSLAND researchers have identified 45 new genes linked to the development of the most common form of skin cancers.

The study into basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, more than doubles the genetic information available on the non-melanoma skin cancers.

Qld researchers’ online skin test

We’re melanoma capital of world

Online test picks up author’s risk

QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute genetic statistician Stuart MacGregor said he hoped the analysis would eventually lead to improved treatments for the “BCC and SCC” skin cancers, but much more work was needed.

The two non-melanoma skin cancers are expected to kill more than 700 Australians this year and are responsible for direct costs to Medicare exceeding $100 million annually.

Associate Professor MacGregor stressed the best way to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer was to be sun-safe, with ultraviolet exposure still the single biggest cause.

QIMR Berhofer Medical Research Institute statistical geneticist Associate Professor Stuart MacGregor

The researchers examined genetic data from 48,000 people treated for basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas in Australia, the UK and US.

They then compared the data to the genes of 600,000 people without the cancers, identifying 45 genetic variants associated with non-melanoma skin cancers.

Most were linked to the development of both basal cell and squamous cell cancers but a few were specific to one or the other.

One of the genes involved, CTLA4, is a target of immunotherapy treatment for melanomas.

“That gives us some extra impetus to think about how we might target that pathway in the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers,” Professor MacGregor said.

“We would need to do more work because those immunotherapies are tuned for melanoma but it opens up some exciting new potential.”

The study’s lead researcher Upekha Liyanage said the discovery of the new genetic variants may help explain why some people developed non-melanoma skin cancers, while others who may have similar features, such as pale skin or freckles, did not.

“On the flipside, although the study looked only at the genetic information of light-skinned people, identification of genetic markers could also explain why some people with darker skin types still get BCCs and SCCs,” Dr Liyanage said.

Kelly Baker, who has lived in Australia for six years after growing up in Jersey, in the Channel Islands, said she made sure she protected herself and her children from the sun, even though she had no history of skin cancer in her family.

Mum Kelly Baker applies some sunscreen to one-year-old daughter Bella while on holiday at Coolum, on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Lachie Millard.

Mum to Bella, 1, and Vince, 3, Ms Baker said the family, who live in Sydney but are holidaying on the Sunshine Coast, avoided going out in the hottest part of the day and were vigilant with sunscreen.

“Neither of my children have ever been sunburnt,” she said.

“I go on the Cancer Council website to see what the latest information is.

“I also have annual skin checks.”

The skin cancer research was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and is published in the journal, Human Molecular Genetics.

Professor MacGregor said genetic data would eventually be included in QIMR Berghofer’s skin cancer risk assessment tool.

To assess your skin cancer risk visit qskin.qimrberghofer.edu.au