Using genetics to understand CYLD cutaneous syndrome

Dr Kirsty Hodgson, a PhD student funded by the British Skin Foundation at Newcastle University, recently made a discovery in an inherited (genetic) skin condition called CYLD cutaneous syndrome (also known as Brooke-Spiegler Syndrome).

In CYLD cutaneous syndrome, patients may develop multiple tumours on sites of the body such as the face, head, neck and torso after puberty. No medicines are available to treat the condition, so patients must undergo repeated surgeries to remove tumours that otherwise would continue to grow in size.