Epigenomic landscape of melanoma progression to brain metastasis: unexplored therapeutic alternatives

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Melanoma brain metastasis is an increasing clinical challenge.
• While somatic mutations drive initial melanoma, brain colonization involves epigenetic reprogramming.
• The brain metastatic microenvironment influences melanoma epigenome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize recent findings on the epigenomic landscape of melanoma progression to brain metastasis.
• To highlight the theranostic potential of epigenomic markers.
• To underscore the role of the metastatic microenvironment.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on melanoma epigenomics and brain metastasis.
• Analysis of studies focusing on DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression.
• Examination of the influence of the metastatic microenvironment.

Main Results:

• Epigenomic modifications are crucial for melanoma cells to colonize the brain.
• DNA methylation, chromatin alterations, and ncRNA expression patterns are altered during melanoma brain metastasis.
• These epigenomic changes hold potential as theranostic markers.
• The brain metastatic niche significantly impacts the melanoma epigenome.

Conclusions:

• Epigenomic reprogramming is a key event in melanoma brain metastasis.
• Theranostic strategies targeting DNA methylation, chromatin, and ncRNAs are promising.
• The interplay between melanoma and the brain microenvironment is critical for metastasis.