Allele losses in malignant melanoma reflect random events.

The genetic basis for cutaneous malignant melanoma is indicated by the observations of inherited disease and the apparent correlation between exposure to mutagenic UV-light and an increased incidence of the disease. We have focused on the hypothesis that advanced disease results from gene deletions on specific chromosomes. Therefore loss of heterozygosity for polymorphic loci on all human chromosomes in a set of eleven metastases of cutaneous malignant melanomas was studied. Allele losses were detected on several chromosomes in a scattered pattern, indicating that the mechanisms of initiation and progression in these do not involve gross chromosomal deletions.