Emerging targeted therapies for melanoma treatment (review)

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with poor prognosis in advanced stages.
• Key molecular pathways, including Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (MAPK) and PI3K/AKT (AKT), are crucial in melanoma pathogenesis.
• Constitutive activation of these pathways drives melanoma progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review novel molecular targeted agents for cutaneous melanoma.
• To summarize studies on the action of these targeted agents.
• To discuss mechanisms of therapeutic resistance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of relevant studies on molecular targeted agents in melanoma.
• Analysis of studies focusing on MAPK and AKT pathway inhibitors.
• Examination of research on resistance mechanisms to targeted therapies.

Main Results:

• Targeting MAPK and AKT pathways with pharmacologic inhibitors can inhibit melanoma cell growth and angiogenesis.
• Several molecular targeted agents are under investigation in clinical trials.
• Understanding resistance mechanisms is critical for effective treatment.

Conclusions:

• Novel molecular targeted therapies offer hope for improving progression-free survival in advanced melanoma.
• Targeting specific effectors in the MAPK and AKT pathways is a promising therapeutic strategy.
• Further research into overcoming resistance is essential for long-term patient benefit.