[Targeted molecular therapies (except immunotherapy)].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Metastatic melanoma historically presents a poor prognosis with limited survival.
• Recent advancements have introduced novel therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the emergence and efficacy of targeted therapies in metastatic melanoma.
• To highlight the challenges of acquired resistance to targeted agents.
• To identify future research directions concerning drug sequencing and combinations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent clinical trials and research findings.
• Analysis of treatment response, tolerance, and resistance patterns.
• Discussion of emerging therapeutic paradigms.

Main Results:

• Targeted therapies, driven by oncogenic mutation discoveries, demonstrate significant efficacy with high overall response rates and good tolerance.
• A major limitation is the rapid development of therapeutic escape mechanisms in most patients within months.

Conclusions:

• While targeted therapies have improved outcomes for metastatic melanoma, acquired resistance remains a critical clinical challenge.
• Future research must focus on optimizing drug sequencing and combination strategies to overcome resistance and improve long-term patient survival.