Keratinocytes contribute to melanocyte activity by influencing their microenvironment, in part, through secretion of paracrine factors. Here we discovered that p53 directly regulates Edn1 expression in epidermal keratinocytes and controls UV-induced melanocyte homeostasis. Selective ablation of EDN1 in murine epidermis (EDN1ep-/-) does not alter melanocyte homeostasis in newborn skin but decreases dermal melanocytes in adult skin. Results showed that keratinocytic EDN1 in a non-cell...

The World Health Organization lists indoor tanning beds and lamps as carcinogens, yet many teenagers continue to believe that indoor tanning helps them look their best. Dennis Hughes, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in Pediatrics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, explains how tanning beds increase your risk of developing skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, the most deadly form.

Inspired by America’s drive a generation ago to put a man on the moon, MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program is a highly-concentrated effort to rapidly and dramatically decrease suffering and death in several major cancers, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS); chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); lung; melanoma; prostate and two cancers linked at the molecular level: triple-negative breast and ovarian. Focused teams are building on new technology and...

Melanoma is on the rise in the United States. In the United States 2011, one person died of melanoma every hour. Learn to protect yourself from melanoma and know skin cancer warning signs. Ana Mercedes Ciurea, M.D., assistant professor in Dermatology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses these topics as well as shares what population is most susceptible to developing melanoma.

Beverly Gor, Ed.D., postdoctoral fellow in the Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses healthy lifestyle choices you can make for your children to help prevent the development of certain adult cancers; such as prostate, breast and colon. Gor stresses the importance of healthy nutrition and exercise to reduce the risk of developing cancer later in life.

Uveal melanoma is a very rare cancer that forms on the eye’s skin tissue, usually in the back part of the eye under the retina (choroid). Sapna Patel, M.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the causes, symptoms and treatment of uveal melanoma. Patel also explains why it is important for everyone to have their eyes examined, even if your vision is 20/20.

The cancer microenvironment affects cancer cell proliferation and growth. Embryonic stem (ES)-preconditioned 3-dimensional (3-D) culture of cancer cells induces cancer cell reprogramming and results in a change in cancer cell properties such as differentiation and migration in skin melanoma. However, the mechanism has not yet been clarified. Using the ES-preconditioned 3-D microenvironment model, we provide evidence showing that the ES microenvironment inhibits proliferation and...

Two new drugs provide the first new treatments for melanoma in years. However, they don't help everyone and resistance can develop. Michael Davies, M.D., Ph.D., of MD Anderson's Department of Melanoma, discusses next steps.

Casey Carleton, a patient with metastatic melanoma explains his experience and success on Phase 1 clinical trial. Customizing targeted therapies to each tumor's molecular characteristics, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach by tumor type, may be more effective for some types of cancer, according to research conducted by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. http://bit.ly/khHJA7

Scientists, led by Patrick Hwu, M.D., of MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Douglas Schwartzentruber, M.D., of Goshen Center for Cancer Care, have developed a vaccine for advanced melanoma. When combined with Interleuken-2, the cocktail stimulates the body's immune system to recognize and ultimately fight cancer cells. Drs. Hwu and Schwartzentruber explain their findings, which are published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and discuss other recent advances in the treatment and research...