Background

Recently, oncogenic G protein alpha subunit q (GNAQ) mutations have been described in about 50% of uveal melanomas and in the blue nevi of the skin.

Methods

GNAQ exon 5 was amplified from 75 ciliary body and choroidal melanoma DNAs and sequenced directly. GNAQ mutation status was correlated with disease-free survival (DFS), as well as other clinical and histopathological factors, and with chromosomal variations detected by FISH and CGH.

Results

Of the 75 tumour DNA samples analysed, 40 (53.3%) harboured oncogenic mutations in GNAQ codon 209. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that GNAQ mutation status was not significantly correlated with DFS.

Conclusion

The GNAQ mutation status is not suitable to predict DFS. However, the high frequency of GNAQ mutations may render it a promising target for therapeutic intervention.