Yale Cancer Center researchers have discovered a gene that dramatically boosts the growth of the melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The findings, published in the journal Cell Reports, not only provide new insight into how melanoma grows but also point the way to potential new treatments for the life-threatening disease, Medical Xpress reports.

The Yale researchers identified a specific enzyme — known as DNMT3B — that chemically modifies DNA and regulates skin cancer growth in mice and probably humans, too. By modifying the action of genes that control the enzyme, it may be possible to essential “switch off” cancer-promoting processes that lead to the developing and growth of tumors, they explained.

"We have identified a new target for drug development as well as a new way of targeting an existing pathway. These findings identify DNMT3B as an attractive target for cancer therapy," said Dr. Marcus W. Bosenberg, associate professor of dermatology and pathology at Yale School of Medicine, and senior author on the study.

Malignant melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, accounting for 80 percent of all skin cancer deaths. The research, published online in the journal Cell Reports, could lead to development of new strategies to slow melanoma growth by targeting DNMT3B, said the researchers.