Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis
Published on: March 8, 2022
Epigenetics of melanoma: implications for immune-based therapies
Elisabetta Fratta1, Luca Sigalotti, Alessia Covre
1Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Aviano, Italy.
Abstract:
Malignant melanoma is a complex disease that arises and evolves due to a myriad of genetic and epigenetic events. Among these, the interaction between epigenetic alterations (i.e., histone modifications, DNA methylation, mRNA silencing by miRNAs and nucleosome repositioning) has been recently identified as playing an important role in melanoma development and progression by affecting key cellular pathways such as cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, apoptosis, invasion and immune recognition. Differently to genetic lesions, epigenetic changes are potentially pharmacologically reversible by using epigenetic drugs. Along this line, preclinical and clinical findings indicate that these drugs, given alone or in combination therapies, can efficiently modulate the immunophenotype of melanoma cells. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of melanoma epigenetics and the current use of epigenetic drugs in the clinical setting.
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Immunotherapy
The Tumor Microenvironment
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
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...
