Scientists at the Huntsman Cancer Institute investigated the process by which melanoma arises from a mole. The results of the study were published in the journal eLife.
Experts from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, located in the United States, were able to study in detail the transformation of moles into melanomas.
Oncologists reported that both melanoma and moles appear from melanocytes. However, moles are not harmful to humans, while melanoma can cause death without timely treatment.
Previously, scientists believed that moles turn into melanomas due to mutations, but experts found out that this is not true. In fact, melanocytes are strongly influenced by external signals, which give them direction. Depending on them, these cells activate genes that cause them to divide uncontrollably (leading to cancer) or stop dividing.