Allele variations in the OCA2 gene (pink-eyed-dilution locus) are associated with genetic susceptibility to melanoma.

The occuloalbinism 2 (OCA2) gene, localized at 15q11, encodes a melanosomal transmembrane protein that is involved in the most common form of human occulo-cutaneous albinism, a human genetic disorder characterized by fair pigmentation and susceptibility to skin cancer. We wondered whether allele variations at this locus could influence susceptibility to malignant melanoma (MM). In all, 10 intragenic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 113 patients with melanomas and in 105 Caucasian control subjects with no personal or family history of skin cancer.

Germline mutations of the INK4a-ARF gene in patients with suspected genetic predisposition to melanoma.

Germline anomalies of the INK4a-ARF and Cdk4 genes were sought in a series of 89 patients suspected of having a genetic predisposition to melanoma. Patients were selected based on the following criteria: (a) familial melanoma (23 cases), (b) multiple primary melanoma (MPM; 18 cases), (c) melanoma and additional unrelated cancers (13 cases), (d) age at diagnosis less than 25 years (21 cases), and (e) nonphoto-induced melanoma (NPIM; 14 cases). Mutations of INK4a-ARF and Cdk4 were characterised by automated sequencing, and germline deletions of INK4a-ARF were also examined by real-time quantitative PCR.

[Tinea capitis: sample surveys among school doctors and dermatologists in the Paris suburbs].

Background: Subsequent to detection of several cases of anthropophilic tinea capitis, we wanted to know whether the legal decree requiring eviction from school and an epidemiology survey in the children community or the family is implemented properly.

Methods: Two sample surveys were carried out among 50 school doctors from the Hauts-de-Seine department and 110 dermatologists working the Paris suburbs.

Results: Eviction from school was rare and not based on the type of dermatophytes (anthropophilic or zoophilic agent).