Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
06:09

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Published on: June 7, 2019

8.6K

Melanoma: from melanocyte to genetic alterations and clinical options

Corine Bertolotto1

  • 1INSERM, U1065 (Équipe 1), C3M, 06204 Nice, France ; University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, UFR Médecine, 06204 Nice, France.

Scientifica
|January 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Metastatic melanoma treatments are improving due to new molecular insights, but challenges remain. Further research into melanoma pathogenesis is crucial for developing more effective therapies and achieving complete cures.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Metastatic melanoma was historically untreatable, serving as a model for cancer resistance.
  • Recent advances reveal melanoma's genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity.
  • Existing treatments offer limited or transient benefits for metastatic melanoma patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent discoveries in melanoma pathogenesis molecular mechanisms.
  • To discuss the clinical translation of these discoveries for improved patient outcomes.
  • To highlight recent bench-to-bedside advances in metastatic melanoma treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on melanoma molecular mechanisms.
  • Analysis of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity in melanoma.
  • Evaluation of current therapeutic strategies and their clinical impact.

Main Results:

  • Understanding melanoma's heterogeneity is key to therapeutic development.
  • New treatments have improved disease-free survival in metastatic melanoma.
  • Clinical responses remain transient or limited to specific patient groups.

Conclusions:

  • Complete cure of metastatic melanoma remains a significant clinical challenge.
  • Continued research into molecular mechanisms is vital for advancing treatment.
  • Translating molecular discoveries into effective clinical applications is ongoing.

More Related Videos

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model12:37

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

Published on: September 7, 2013

17.8K
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model08:49

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

18.1K

Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

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.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
5.2K
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
3.6K
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
51.7K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.3K
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
12.6K
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
6.2K