Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
08:49

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

Drug targeting of oncogenic pathways in melanoma

Leslie A Fecher1, Ravi K Amaravadi, Lynn M Schuchter

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 16 Penn Tower, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. leslie.fecher@uphs.upenn.edu

Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America
|May 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Metastatic melanoma remains aggressive, but long-term survivors suggest disease heterogeneity. Research explores molecular pathways and targeted therapies for improved outcomes in advanced melanoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer, particularly in its metastatic stage.
  • Survival rates for advanced, unresectable melanoma have stagnated for decades.
  • The existence of long-term survivors indicates significant biological heterogeneity within the disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss oncogenic pathways in melanoma.
  • To review therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.
  • To highlight challenges in target and drug validation for melanoma treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current research on melanoma molecular and genetic underpinnings.
  • Analysis of known oncogenic pathways in melanoma development.
  • Discussion of therapeutic approaches targeting cellular processes downstream of genetic alterations.

Main Results:

  • Melanoma exhibits significant heterogeneity, offering potential for improved patient outcomes.
  • Understanding molecular and genetic factors is crucial for developing effective therapies.
  • Targeting specific cellular processes shows promise, though validation remains complex.

Conclusions:

  • Despite its aggressiveness, melanoma's heterogeneity suggests avenues for therapeutic advancement.
  • Further research into molecular pathways and targeted drug development is essential.
  • Addressing challenges in target and drug validation is key to improving survival for advanced melanoma patients.

More Related Videos

A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis07:41

A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis

Published on: March 8, 2022

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model07:07

A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model

Published on: May 20, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...