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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Towards therapeutic advances in melanoma management: An overview
Swarnendra Singh1, Atif Zafar2, Saman Khan2
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029, India.
Abstract:
Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer with rapidly increasing incidence rate. The disease is largely considered incurable and the patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma have a survival of not more than five years. Despite of the recent advances in anti-melanoma chemo- and immunotherapies, the available drugs are relatively toxic and responsive to only a limited subset of lesions. Currently, topical pharmacotherapy is demonstrated as an effective approach for the treatment of various skin cancers. Also, in vitro testing of melanoma cell lines and murine melanoma models has identified a number of relatively safe and effective phytochemicals. In this review, we described the use of topical pharmacotherapy for the treatment of skin cancers. Melanoma treatment by drugs targeting MAPK-pathway has also been discussed. Long non-coding RNAs and therapeutics targeting ER-associated pathways looks quite promising for the treatment of melanoma. Moreover, some natural anticancer compounds that have been reported to have anti-melanoma effects have also been described. At present a better understanding of genetics and epigenetics of initiation and progression of melanoma is needed for the identification of novel biomarkers and development of targeted therapeutics against melanoma.
Insights
This review explores topical treatments for aggressive melanoma, including phytochemicals and targeted therapies. Further research into melanoma genetics and epigenetics is crucial for developing effective, less toxic treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with poor prognosis, especially in metastatic stages.
- Current chemo- and immunotherapies have limitations including toxicity and limited efficacy.
- Topical pharmacotherapy shows promise for skin cancer treatment, with identified effective phytochemicals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review topical pharmacotherapy for skin cancer treatment.
- To discuss targeted melanoma therapies, including MAPK-pathway inhibitors.
- To highlight promising avenues like long non-coding RNAs and ER-associated pathway therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of topical pharmacotherapy for skin cancers.
- Analysis of research on melanoma cell lines and murine models.
- Examination of studies on phytochemicals and novel therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Topical pharmacotherapy is an effective approach for various skin cancers.
- Phytochemicals demonstrate anti-melanoma effects in preclinical studies.
- Targeting MAPK-pathway, long non-coding RNAs, and ER-associated pathways shows therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Topical treatments and natural compounds offer safer alternatives for melanoma.
- Targeted therapies and understanding melanoma epigenetics are key for future drug development.
- Further research is needed to identify novel biomarkers and develop targeted therapeutics.
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