What hope for the future? GNAQ and Uveal Melanoma.

Karen Sisley (1) , Rachel Doherty (2) , Neil Cross (2)

1 University of Sheffield [Sheffield]
2 Sheffield Hallam University

Uveal melanomas are aggressive ocular tumours that spread to the liver. They are characterised by alterations of chromosome 3 and 8 which are highly predictive of a poor prognosis. Unfortunately, being able to identify those patients with aggressive disease has not, as yet, translated into improved survival. Recently mutations of Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(q) subunit alpha (GNAQ, or G-alpha-q), that effectively turn it into a dominantly acting oncogene, have been identified in approximately half of uveal melanomas. These mutations are specific to uveal melanoma and other non-cutaneous melanomas and are not found in normal tissues, making them potential therapeutic targets. Here we review the background to GNAQ in uveal melanoma and explore what makes it such an interesting target for the future treatment of patients.

Mots clés: Genetics; Neoplasia

Karen Sisley, Rachel Doherty, Neil Cross. What hope for the future? GNAQ and Uveal Melanoma.. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2011, 95 (5), pp.620. ⟨10.1136/bjo.2010.182097⟩. ⟨hal-00618791⟩