Cutaneous malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive and frequently chemoresistant
cancer, the incidence of which continues to rise. Epidemiological studies show that the
major aetiological melanoma risk factor is ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation, with the highest
risk associated with intermittent burning doses, especially during childhood,. We have
experimentally validated these epidemiological findings using the hepatocyte growth
factor/scatter factor transgenic mouse model, which develops lesions in stages highly …