Adaptive redox homeostasis in cutaneous melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Although cutaneous melanoma accounts for a minority of all types of skin cancer, it causes the greatest number of skin cancer related deaths worldwide. Oxidative stress and redox homeostasis have been shown to be involved at each stage of a malignant melanocyte transformation, called melanomagenesis, as well as during drug resistance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important and diverse role that regulate many aspects of skin cell behaviors ranging from proliferation and stemness, to oxidative damage and cell death. On the other hand, antioxidants are associated with melanoma spread and metastasis. Overall, the contribution of redox homeostasis to melanoma development and progression is controversial and highly complex. The aim of this study is to examine the association between redox homeostasis and the melanomagenic process. To this purpose we are presenting what is currently known about the role of ROS in melanoma initiation and progression. In addition, we are discussing the role of antioxidant mechanisms during the spread of the disease and in cases of melanoma drug resistance. Although challenging, targeting redox homeostasis in melanoma progression remains to be a promising therapeutic approach, especially valid during melanoma drug resistance.