A team from Yale University has recently revealed in a report that the cause for melanoma, advanced skin cancer, has been found. It is being said that a particular gene leads to the development of skin cancer, which is initially developed because of exposure to sun.

Working in association with researchers from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, the team had conducted the largest DNA-sequencing study ever. It was found that the development of the cancerous tissue was even going beyond melanoma.

Assessment of the genes found in almost 147 skin cancers has led the team to conclude that the mutation named RAC1 also gives a boost to malignant cell growth. And the same allows the tumour to reach other organs as well.

It has been found that almost 9% of all melanoma patients carry the mutation, which is comprised of a molecular signature. As per the researchers, the same clearly signifies that ultraviolet light only causes them. However, two other mutations are also major contributors in the growth of melanomas. The team says that BRAF and NRAS are not found due to ultraviolet light exposure.

It is being hoped by the team that new drugs targeting the discovered gene would help cure the advanced skin cancer effectively.