CDK4 gene

Associated Syndrome Name: Melanoma cancer syndrome (MCS)

CDK4 Summary Cancer Risk Table

Cancer Genetic Cancer Risk
SkinHigh Risk
PancreaticElevated Risk

CDK4 gene Overview

Melanoma cancer syndrome (MCS) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Individuals with CDK4 mutations have melanoma cancer syndrome (MCS).
  • Patients with MCS have a high risk of developing melanoma. There are currently no exact estimates of the risk associated with CDK4 mutations, but it is believed that melanoma risks are similar to those for patients with a similar condition due to mutations in the CDKN2A (p16INK4a) gene. Those risks are provided below. It is possible that these estimates will change over time as we learn more about the exact risks associated with mutations in CDK4.
  • Patients with MCS due to mutations in CDK4 may also have a high risk for pancreatic cancer, as a high risk for pancreatic cancer has been observed in some families with mutations in the related gene CDKN2A (p16INK4a). Concern about pancreatic cancer risk should be higher for patients who have a family history of this cancer.
  • Although there is a high risk for melanoma, and possibly pancreatic cancer, in patients with MCS, it may be possible to reduce this risk with appropriate medical management, including increased attention to surveillance and lifestyle modifications. Guidelines from expert groups for the management of patients with increased risks for these cancers are listed below. Since information about the cancer risks associated with CDK4 mutations is relatively new, and there is uncertainty about the best ways to reduce these risks, it may be appropriate to interpret these results in consultation with cancer genetics professionals who have expertise in this emerging area of knowledge.

CDK4 gene Cancer Risk Table

Cancer Type Age Range Cancer Risk Risk for General Population
MelanomaTo age 501, 4, 614%-50%0.3%
To age 801, 4, 628%-76%1.6%
PancreaticTo age 752, 3, 6Elevated risk0.8%

CDK4 Cancer Risk Management Table

The overview of medical management options provided is a summary of professional society guidelines. The most recent version of each guideline should be consulted for more detailed and up-to-date information before developing a treatment plan for a particular patient.

This overview is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation. While the medical society guidelines summarized herein provide important and useful information, medical management decisions for any particular patient should be made in consultation between that patient and his or her healthcare provider and may differ from society guidelines based on a complete understanding of the patient’s personal medical history, surgeries and other treatments.

Cancer Type Procedure Age to Begin Frequency
(Unless otherwise indicated by findings)
MelanomaEducation about the importance of skin protection, such as sun avoidance, protective clothing and sunscreen.7, 8InfancyOngoing
Whole-body skin examinations conducted by the patient or family member.7, 810 yearsMonthly
Clinical skin examinations by an appropriately trained provider, with consideration of whole-body photography and close-up photography of atypical nevi for ongoing comparison.7, 810 yearsEvery 6 to 12 months
PancreaticCurrently there are no specific medical management guidelines for pancreatic cancer risk in mutation carriers.NANA

Information for Family Members

The following information for Family Members will appear as part of the MMT for a patient found to have a mutation in the CDK4 gene.

This patient's relatives are at risk for carrying the same mutation(s) and associated cancer risks as this patient. Cancer risks for females and males who have this/these mutation(s) are provided below.

Family members should talk to a healthcare provider about genetic testing. Close relatives such as parents, children, brothers and sisters have the highest chance of having the same mutation(s) as this patient. Other more distant relatives such as cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents also have a chance of carrying the same mutation(s). Testing of at-risk relatives can identify those family members with the same mutation(s) who may benefit from surveillance and early intervention.

Since there are screening and preventative measures recommended to begin in infancy or early childhood for individuals with CDK4 mutations, consideration should be given to the possibility of mutation testing at young ages.

References

  1. Begg CB, et al. Genes Environment and Melanoma Study Group. Lifetime risk of melanoma in CDKN2A mutation carriers in a population-based sample. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005 97:1507-15. PMID: 16234564.
  2. Goldstein AM, et al. Melanoma Genetics Consortium (GenoMEL). High-risk melanoma susceptibility genes and pancreatic cancer, neural system tumors, and uveal melanoma across GenoMEL. Cancer Res. 2006 66:9818-28. PMID: 17047042.
  3. Vasen HF, et al. Risk of developing pancreatic cancer in families with familial atypical multiple mole melanoma associated with a specific 19 deletion of p16 (p16-Leiden). Int J Cancer. 2000 87:809-11. PMID: 10956390.
  4. Bishop DT, et al. Geographical variation in the penetrance of CDKN2A mutations for melanoma. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2002 94:894-903. PMID: 12072543.
  5. Goldstein AM, et al. Genotype-phenotype relationships in U.S. melanoma-prone families with CDKN2A and CDK4 mutations. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000 92:1006-10. PMID: 10861313.
  6. SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute. [Cited 2023 Mar 24]. Available from https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/.
  7. Kefford RF et al. Counseling and DNA testing for individuals perceived to be genetically predisposed to melanoma: A consensus statement of the Melanoma Genetics Consortium. J Clin Oncol. 1999 17:3245-51. PMID: 10506626.
  8. Swetter SM, et al. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology®: Melanoma: Cutaneous. V 2.2023 Mar 10. Available at https://www.nccn.org.
Last Updated on 31-Jan-2024