Telomere length in hereditary melanoma patients with variants in telomere biology related genes

Background: Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, responsible for most skin cancer-related deaths. About 10% of melanomas are heritable, occurring in familial settings or as part of cancer syndromes. Genetic testing primarily targets high-risk genes, with CDKN2A mutations accounting for ~20% of familial melanoma cases. Mutations in CDK4, BAP1, and telomere-related genes, such as POT1 and TERT, contribute an additional ~5% of inherited melanomas.