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Updated: Sep 10, 2025
A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis
Published on: March 8, 2022
Innovative approaches to melanoma treatment: a spotlight on stimuli-responsive biomaterials
Ashleigh Tinotenda Chitakunye1, Odinaka Cassandra Ezekiel1, Qin Liu1
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, P. R. China. cailin@wmu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Melanoma presents as an increasingly prevalent and intricate skin cancer, characterized by a complex tumor microenvironment that features various mutations and the activation of melanogenesis pathways. Dynamic changes within this microenvironment, including increased ROS levels, acidity, and enzyme expression, specifically upregulation of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase and MMP2, amongst other enzymes, further contribute to its complexity. Despite advancements in melanoma treatment and FDA approval of therapies targeting specific pathways and employing immune checkpoint inhibitors, challenges persist in melanoma treatment, particularly in optimizing drug delivery and navigating the intricate tumor microenvironment. Recent research has increasingly focused on integrating biomaterials into melanoma treatment, yielding promising results. These biomaterials find application in melanoma diagnosis, treatment, and imaging. Studies have sparked interest in uncovering the therapeutic potential of stimuli-responsive biomaterials. pH-responsive systems offer the prospect of targeted drug release in the acidic tumor microenvironment. Meanwhile, light- and temperature-responsive materials offer spatiotemporal control, aiding melanoma death processes such as necroptosis, apoptosis, and necrosis. Biomaterials responsive to ROS and enzymes address the intricacies of melanoma biology, enhancing treatment specificity. Additionally, multiple stimuli-responsive platforms present a holistic approach for heightened therapeutic efficacy. This review navigates the intricate terrain of melanoma treatment, addressing current therapy limitations and envisioning a future where functionalized biomaterials are pivotal in more effective and targeted interventions. We evaluate multifaceted approaches harnessing distinct biological, physical, and chemical stimuli, and their synergistic combinations to enhance drug delivery precision and other mechanisms in melanoma.
Insights
Biomaterials offer advanced melanoma treatment by responding to tumor microenvironment stimuli like pH and ROS. These smart materials enhance targeted drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Melanoma is a complex skin cancer with a challenging tumor microenvironment.
- Current melanoma treatments face limitations in drug delivery and targeting specific tumor characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the therapeutic potential of stimuli-responsive biomaterials in melanoma treatment.
- To explore how biomaterials can overcome current limitations in melanoma therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent research on biomaterials for melanoma diagnosis, treatment, and imaging.
- Evaluation of pH-, light-, temperature-, ROS-, and enzyme-responsive biomaterials.
- Analysis of multi-stimuli responsive platforms for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
Main Results:
- Stimuli-responsive biomaterials show promise for targeted drug delivery in the acidic melanoma microenvironment.
- Light- and temperature-responsive materials offer spatiotemporal control over melanoma cell death.
- Biomaterials responsive to ROS and enzymes enhance treatment specificity by addressing melanoma biology.
Conclusions:
- Functionalized biomaterials are pivotal for future effective and targeted melanoma interventions.
- Harnessing biological, physical, and chemical stimuli, and their combinations, can significantly enhance drug delivery precision and therapeutic outcomes in melanoma.
