830 Gene-UV interactions determining sun damage

Abstract

Skin cancers that form after ultraviolet (UV) light exposure occur more frequently than any other cancer type, and in the case of melanoma, they are often fatal. UV exposure induces these cancers through DNA mutation, and causes damage such as aging, solar elastosis and hyperpigmentation. Ultraviolet (UV) facial photographs obtained using the Canfield Visia UV camera may detect sub-visible skin damage caused by UV exposure, and could be used to help track and minimize the accumulation of sun damage. Nevertheless, it is not known how these skin damage scores relate to melanoma risk factors such as UV exposure history or to genetic factors that may predispose to their formation. We are currently following a group of 1,145 children with annual skin exams and telephone interviews and collecting a comprehensive longitudinal set of skin cancer risk factor information. We have used facial UV photography to generate a sun damage score on 550 children. Here we report that facial sun damage scores correlate with known skin cancer and melanoma risk factors such as UV exposure history and genetic risk factors such as MC1R, IRF4, and TYR (among others). Thus we show that UV photography may be used to accurately identify, based on genetic makeup, sun damage associated with an individual’s UV exposure history. Moreover, we report those loci that interact with sun exposure history and those that act in an additive fashion to maximize the effects of UV exposure on sun damage. We are working to determine if this technology may be used to identify unique high risk groups that may benefit from dermatologic surveillance and preventive action.