# ROLE OF ONCOGENES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF MELANOMA

> **NIH NIH R01** · SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH · 1989 · $232,622

## Abstract

Defining the nature and temporal sequence of events propelling a
cell towards neoplastic transformation is pivotal to the
understanding of the malignant process.  What role oncogenes and
proto-oncogenes have in this process is still obscure.  Melanoma
provides a valuable model system to study this problem.

Our objectives are to define the role of oncogenes and proto-
oncogenes in the pathogenesis of malignant melanoma, one of the
few cancers whose incidence is on the rise.  Our long term goals
are (1) to determine the status of oncogene and proto-oncogene
activation and expression during specific clinically-defined stages
of melanoma, (2) to determine the types of specific oncogene and
proto-oncogene related events which disrupt the normal
functioning of the melanocyte, and (3) to decipher the relationship
of neoplastic transformation to differentiation programs in this
disease.

Specifically, we propose (i) to expand our studies showning that
ras oncogenes induce in normal human melanocytes a complex
series of alterations known to occur in melanomas, (ii) to
determine if oncogene encoded proteins with intracellular
locations and functions different from ras can transform
melanocytes singly or in combination with other oncogenes, (iii) to
delineate specific and progressive chromosomal perturbations in
transformed melanocytes and to determine their correlation with
known phenotypic characteristics of melanomas, (iv) to expand
our studies designed to detect consistent oncogene or proto-
oncogene perturbations in non-cultured melanomas and in
precursor lesions, and (v) to isolate novel transforming genes and
differentially regulated genes from the DNAs of melanomas and
melanocytes.

Our research to date suggests a definite, but complex, role for
oncogenes in the development of melanoma and points to a
probable interrelatedness of melanocyte-melanoma cellular
differentiation programs and the process of malignant
transformation.  Further, this work has generated information
suggesting the presence of as yet undefined genetic elements
possibly necessary for the fully neoplastic features of melanoma.
Our proposed research will pursue these themes in order to
acquire a precise knowledge of the contribution of oncogenes in
this disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175851
- **Project number:** 5R01CA037907-05
- **Recipient organization:** SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KUKXRCZ6NZC2
- **Principal Investigator:** ANTHONY P ALBINO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $232,622
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-01 → 1993-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175851

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175851, ROLE OF ONCOGENES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF MELANOMA (5R01CA037907-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175851. Licensed CC0.

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