EGF Gene Potential Marker for Melanoma Survival

THURSDAY, Oct. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Epidermal growth factor (EGF) A61G polymorphism is a potential marker for more aggressive malignant melanoma and can predict earlier progression with shorter disease-free periods, according to study findings published in the October issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Ichiro Okamoto, M.D., of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, and colleagues studied the association of EGF A61G polymorphism and survival in 130 patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma with a Breslow thickness greater than 1.5 mm.

The investigators found the G/G genotype was significantly associated with shorter disease-free states (hazard ratio 2.246) and malignant melanoma-specific survival (hazard ratio 3.79) compared to the A/A genotype. The A/G genotype had intermediate risk.

"In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that the EGF A61G polymorphism is associated with survival. Our data suggest that this polymorphism is a potential marker for disease severity that predicts earlier progression of malignant melanoma," the authors conclude.

Abstract
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