Abstract
Abstract Cutaneous melanoma is the most lethal form among all skin cancers. Multiple genetic etiologies have been identified in primary and metastatic tumors, however, the cellular origin for cutaneous melanoma and their related molecular mechanisms required for early steps of melanoma initiation have not been well defined. Although great progress has been made in the development of targeted therapies for malignant melanoma, knowledge on the factors that can cause tumor formation would provide valuable insight for melanoma prevention and control. Here, our study aims to determine potential means of prevention by identifying the extrinsic environmental factors and cellular conditions responsible for melanoma initiation particularly from tumor-competent melanocyte stem cells. In the study, adult stem cells have been discovered as a compelling candidate for melanoma formation. We also found that quiescent stem cells are relatively unable to develop melanocytic tumors. On the other hand, environmental and physiological stresses can significantly alter the status of melanocyte stem cells which in turn causes melanoma development. Screening the genetic changes that occur in the melanoma-competent stem cells in tumor initiation stages can help to elucidate which molecular pathways may cause the formation of cutaneous melanoma. Our data will provide a new framework for the early initiation steps of cutaneous melanoma from quiescent but tumor-prone stem cells, with the ultimate goal to find better preventative measurements and targeted therapy for cutaneous melanoma. Citation Format: Hyeongsun Moon, Leanne Donahue, Jerry Zhu, Andrew White. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cutaneous melanoma development from melanocyte stem cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 150.
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