Integrative Genomic Analyses Identify MITF As a Lineage Survival Oncogene Amplified in Malignant Melanoma

Melanoma target Analysis of pharmacological and genetic data from the US National Cancer Institute's NCI60 collection of cancer cell lines has identified a novel DNA amplification event in human melanomas. It alters MITF gene expression to promote melanoma formation, probably in cooperation with mutated BRAF , another key melanoma gene. Amplification of MITF may also help melanoma cells resist destruction by drugs. This work identifies MITF itself as a possible drug target in melanoma, and may encourage future genomics efforts to identify genetic alterations in other cancers.