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Melanin density and melanin type predict melanocytic naevi in 19-20 year olds of northern European ancestry
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 12:06 authored by Terry DwyerTerry Dwyer, Prota, G, Christopher BlizzardChristopher Blizzard, Ashbolt, R, Vincensi, MRecent advances in estimating the density of cutaneous melanin by spectrophotometry and the concentration of the two types of melanin (eumelanin and phaeomelanin) in hair offer the potential to define the risk of skin cancer in individuals more accurately. The presence of common melanocytic naevi on the arm is associated with an increased risk of melanoma, and in this study the associations of arm naevi with melanin density at the upper inner arm and with melanin type in hair samples were examined in a representative sample (n = 267) of 19-20 year olds of northern European ancestry. Particularly in men, the association with naevus count was stronger for cutaneous melanin density than for follicular melanin type. Adjusted for recreational sun exposure, the rank correlation coefficients were r = -0.25, 0.12 and 0.01 for men, and r = -0.17, -0.12 and 0.14 for women, for cutaneous melanin, hair eumelanin and hair phaeomelanin, respectively. The associations with less objective markers of phenotype (hair colour, eye colour, nurse-assessed skin colour, and self-reported skin reaction to unaccustomed sun) were weaker. These findings provide important new information that human susceptibility to mutations of melanocytes can be estimated by objective biological measures. The next step is to determine whether these measures also predict the risk of melanoma. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
History
Publication title
Melanoma ResearchVolume
10Issue
4Pagination
387-394ISSN
0960-8931Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchPublisher
Lippincott Williams & WilkinsPlace of publication
USARepository Status
- Restricted