Genes associated with progression of melanoma are identified

(Fundação de Amparo Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) Screening used synthetic compound similar to curcumin (a pigment extracted from turmeric), which displayed anti-tumor action in preliminary tests. Next step will be evaluating these genes' roles on tumoral progression and exploring them as therapeutic targets - melanoma is the most lethal and also the most chemotherapy-resistant type of skin cancer.