Germline BAP1 mutation predisposes to uveal melanoma, lung adenocarcinoma, meningioma, and other cancers

This study identified a novel hereditary cancer syndrome caused by a germline mutation in BAP1 gene. The BAP1 mutation predisposes patients to develop uveal (ocular) melanoma, lung carcinoma, meningioma and possibly other cancers most importantly, skin melanoma and mesothelioma. The results also suggest that the frequency of germline BAP1 mutation is rather small in uveal melanoma. Study of the role of BAP1 in development of different cancers in particular uveal melanoma, lung carcinoma, meningioma, mesothelioma and skin melanoma is highly warranted. (By Mohamed H. Abdel-Rahman, MD, PhD, http://jmg.bmj.com/content/early/2011/09/22/jmedgenet-2011-100156.abstract?papetoc )