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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
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A Robust Discovery Platform for the Identification of Novel Mediators of Melanoma Metastasis
Published on: March 8, 2022
Transcriptomic Profiling of Cutaneous Melanoma Metastases Treated With Microwave Ablation-Pilot Study
Purevsuren Losol1, Daniel O'Driscoll2,3, Andres Vallejo Pulido1
1Clinical Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Clinical and Translational Science
|June 19, 2026
Summary
Microwave therapy shows promise for treating skin cancer metastases. This pilot study found that microwave treatment induced anti-tumor immune responses and reduced cancer markers in patients with cutaneous melanoma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Microwave ablation is an established cancer treatment for solid organs.
- Low-energy microwave treatment can induce cutaneous immunity.
- The potential of microwave therapy for skin cancer warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular changes associated with microwave therapy in cutaneous melanoma metastases.
- To assess the efficacy of microwave therapy in patients with treatment-resistant melanoma skin metastases.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study involving seven adult patients with cutaneous melanoma metastases.
- Application of microwave energy to melanoma metastases.
- Evaluation of morphological, histological, and transcriptomic changes via RNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- Three patients achieved complete response; four achieved partial response.
- Complete responders showed increased inflammation and downregulated cancer markers post-treatment.
- Complete responders exhibited FABP4 enrichment and reduced cancer markers compared to partial responders.
Conclusions:
- Microwave therapy induced local tumor responses and inflammatory changes in complete responders.
- Findings support further clinical evaluation of microwave therapy for cutaneous melanoma metastases.
- Transcriptomic profiling revealed key molecular alterations associated with treatment response.
