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Skin Cancer

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Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

Cutaneous melanoma.

Alexander M M Eggermont¹, Alan Spatz², Caroline Robert³

¹Melanoma Unit and INSERM U981, Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute, Grand Paris, Villejuif, France; Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Lancet (London, England)

|September 24, 2013

Summary

Advances in melanoma research include new genes and targeted therapies like BRAF inhibitors. While treatments improve survival, metastatic melanoma prognosis remains poor, highlighting the need for better biomarkers and immunotherapies.

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Area of Science:

Oncology
Dermatology
Immunology

Background:

Significant progress in understanding melanoma genetics and treatment over the last decade.
BRAF mutations are key somatic events influencing therapeutic strategies for melanoma.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advances in melanoma understanding, treatment, and prognosis.
To discuss emerging therapies, including immunomodulation and targeted drug combinations.
To highlight the ongoing search for predictive biomarkers in melanoma treatment.

Main Methods:

Review of recent scientific literature on melanoma.
Analysis of surgical and systemic treatment approaches.
Evaluation of immunotherapies (anti-CTLA4, anti-PD1, anti-PDL1) and targeted therapies (BRAF, MEK inhibitors).

Main Results:

Surgery is standard for localized melanoma; sentinel-node biopsy aids staging but not survival.
Targeted therapies (BRAF/MEK inhibitors) show high response rates but limited durability due to resistance.
Immunotherapies like anti-PD1/anti-PDL1 antibodies offer high response rates and durable outcomes.
Predictive biomarkers for treatment efficacy remain elusive, despite some associations with adjuvant therapy.

Conclusions:

Metastatic melanoma prognosis remains poor despite therapeutic advances.
Combination therapies and novel immunotherapies show promise but require further investigation.
Identifying reliable biomarkers is crucial for optimizing melanoma treatment and predicting patient outcomes.