Article
Oncology
Joanna Lee, Tasnia Ahmed, Andrea Maurichi, Lorenzo Di Guardo, Anna M. Stagno, Lydia Warburton, Amelia. M. Taylor, Elisabeth Livingstone, Saba Rehman, Adnan Khattak, Katharina C. Kahler, Vito Vanella, Victoria Atkinson, Michael Millward, Dirk Schadendorf, Douglas B. Johnson, Paolo A. Ascierto, Axel Hauschild, Serigne N. Lo, Georgina V. Long, Alexander M. Menzies, Matteo S. Carlino
Summary: For patients with advanced melanoma, there is a risk of recurrence after discontinuation of targeted therapy, but retreatment with targeted therapy shows a high response rate.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Kevin Yao, Emily Zhou, Chao Cheng
Summary: In this study, a B-Raf signature score was defined using RNA-seq data, which could predict B-Raf mutation status and other aberrations. Patients dichotomized by the median B-Raf score showed more significant stratification compared to other metrics. High B-Raf score also predicted higher sensitivity to B-Raf inhibitors and drugs targeting other relevant oncogenic pathways.
Article
Biology
Charlene Estrada, Liliana Mirabal-Ortega, Laurence Mery, Florent Dingli, Laetitia Besse, Cedric Messaoudi, Damarys Loew, Celio Pouponnot, Corine Bertolotto, Alain Eychene, Sabine Druillennec
Summary: The MITF transcription factor directly interacts with RAF kinases, including ARAF, BRAF and CRAF, in melanoma cells. This interaction negatively regulates MITF activity by promoting its accumulation in the cytoplasm.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ming Ren, Lu Wang, Zi-Xu Gao, Xin-Yi Deng, Kang-Jie Shen, Yan-Lin Li, Yi-Teng Ding, Chuan-Yuan Wei, Jian-Ying Gu
Summary: This study revealed the mechanism of drug resistance in melanoma to vemurafenib, showing that resistant cells regulate their own proliferation, oxidative stress, and tumor stemness by activating specific pathways, providing new insights into acquiring drug resistance.
Article
Oncology
Laurence Booth, Cameron West, Daniel Von Hoff, John M. Kirkwood, Paul Dent
Summary: The study revealed a lethal interaction between GZ17-6.02 and the MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib and the B-RAF inhibitor dabrafenib, showing potential in killing melanoma cells and impacting multiple signaling pathways differently.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samadrita Chatterjee, Rajkumar Chakraborty, Yasha Hasija
Summary: This study identified genetic variants associated with melanoma susceptibility using computational methods, highlighting the impact of the protein encoded by the BRAF gene on drug treatment. The prioritization of G469V and G469E mutants was based on predicted deleterious effects.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ylana Adami Franco, Manoel Oliveira de Moraes Jr, Larissa A. C. Carvalho, Wolfgang Dohle, Renaira Oliveira da Silva, Isabella Harumi Yonehara Noma, Keli Lima, Barry V. L. Potter, Joao A. Machado-Neto, Silvya Stuchi Maria-Engler
Summary: The sulfamoylated derivative of endogenous estradiol, STX140, shows superior potential as a therapeutic agent for melanoma treatment. It inhibits cell proliferation, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, reduces migration and clonogenic potential, and inhibits invasion in melanoma cells. Furthermore, STX140 induces senescence features and activates the senescence machinery in melanoma cells. These findings suggest that STX140 may be a promising candidate for melanoma treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Zhiyuan Chen, Ran Ke, Zhiqiang Song, Yang Zhou, Xiaomei Ren, Weixue Huang, Zhen Wang, Ke Ding
Summary: Photoinduced drug release is a promising strategy for precise cancer therapy. The newly designed photocaged B-RafV600E inhibitor 2 can release active drugs under UV irradiation, effectively inhibiting the proliferation of melanoma cells and showing similar effects under sunlight exposure.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge Mansilla-Soto, Justin Eyquem, Sascha Haubner, Mohamad Hamieh, Judith Feucht, Noemie Paillon, Andres Ernesto Zucchetti, Zhuoning Li, Maria Sjostrand, Pieter L. Lindenbergh, Michelle Saetersmoen, Anton Dobrin, Mathieu Maurin, Archana Iyer, Andreina Garcia Angus, Matthew M. Miele, Zeguo Zhao, Theodoros Giavridis, Sjoukje J. C. van der Stegen, Fella Tamzalit, Isabelle Riviere, Morgan Huse, Ronald C. Hendrickson, Claire Hivroz, Michel Sadelain
Summary: HLA-independent T cell receptors (HIT receptors) are a novel type of chimeric antigen receptors that can effectively target tumors with low antigen expression, surpassing the sensitivity of CD28-based receptors. They offer high antigen sensitivity and can recognize tumors beyond the capabilities of other CAR designs. The functional persistence of HIT T cells can be enhanced by coexpression of CD80 and 4-1BBL. HIT receptors have been validated in xenograft mouse models, targeting CD19 and CD70 in B cell leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, respectively.
Review
Oncology
Appaji Rayi, Iyad Alnahhas, Shirley Ong, Pierre Giglio, Vinay K. Puduvalli
Summary: The unique vulnerability of gliomas with BRAF mutations to targeted therapies, predominantly in adolescent and young adult populations, highlights the importance of accurate and timely identification of these mutations for appropriate treatment. Offering both immunohistochemical and sequencing methods for detection, as well as conducting multicenter collaborative studies, will be essential in achieving long term control of these rare tumors, while also exploring breakthrough resistance mechanisms for potential targeted treatments.
CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Arunkumar Babu, Shiny P. Laila, Annette Fernandez
Summary: This study aims to develop a more effective lead compound as a B-RAF inhibitor from hydroxyquinone by structural modification of embelin. A semisynthetic derivative of Embelin was prepared, and it exhibited better anti-cancer activity in melanoma cell lines than the parent compound, embelin. The derivative can be used as a lead molecule for further drug discovery.
ANTI-CANCER AGENTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Grace D. Cullen, Heidi D. Finnes, Svetomir N. Markovic, Gerald W. Volcheck
Summary: Type I hypersensitivity reactions to dabrafenib are rare but can occur in patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma. In this case, a desensitization protocol with encorafenib was successful in allowing the patient to continue treatment, suggesting it as a potential option for patients with limited therapeutic alternatives.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuang Zhang, Masayuki Harada, Takeshi Kimura, Noboru Ashida
Summary: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are important components of the tumor microenvironment and play critical roles in tumorigenesis. In this study, the researchers investigated the role of IKK beta, a key kinase for NF-kappa B activation, in activated CAFs. The results showed that IKK beta has a tumor-suppressing function in activated CAFs, and its deletion leads to enhanced tumor growth and upregulation of tumor-promoting factors.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Xinying Zheng, Guorong Lyu, Yaduan Gan, Maiguo Hu, Xianlan Liu, Shuqiang Chen, Xiuming Wu, Wenmin Yang, Fengying Ye, Xiaobin Yan, Ying Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the sonographic characteristics of borderline tumors (BoTs) and cystadenofibromas (CAFs), examining differences in ultrasound features and patterns between the two. The research found that acoustic shadowing was a predictor for CAFs, while a microcystic pattern (MCP) was predictive for BoTs, highlighting the importance of proper recognition and utilization of these findings for accurate discrimination between the two types of tumors.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Paul Dent, Laurence Booth, Andrew Poklepovic, John M. Kirkwood
Summary: Melanoma cells expressing mutant B-RAF V600E are sensitive to treatment with neratinib, especially when combined with HDAC inhibitors. Neratinib affects signaling pathways such as ATM, AMPK, ULK1, and PERK, promoting autophagy and reducing expression of toxic proteins.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Kristy M. Broman, Tasha C. Hughes, Brooke Bredbeck, James Sun, Dennis J. Kirichenko, Michael Carr, Avinash Sharma, Edmund Bartlett, Amanda A. G. Nijhuis, John F. Thompson, Tina J. Hieken, Lisa Kottschade, Jennifer Downs, David E. Gyorki, Emma Stahlie, Alexander van Akkooi, David Ollila, Kristin O'shea, Yun Song, Giorgos Karakousis, Marc Moncrieff, Jenny Nobes, John Vetto, Dale Han, Meghan Hotz, Jeffrey M. Farma, Jeremiah L. Deneve, Martin D. Fleming, Matthew Perez, Kirsten Baecher, Michael Lowe, Roger Olofsson Bagge, Jan Mattsson, Ann Y. Lee, Russell S. Berman, Harvey Chai, Hidde M. Kroon, Juri Teras, Roland M. Teras, Norma E. Farrow, Georgia M. Beasley, Jane Yuet Ching Hui, Lukas Been, Schelto Kruijff, Brandy Sinco, Amod A. Sarnaik, Vernon K. Sondak, Jonathan S. Zager, Lesly A. Dossett
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine trends and variation in the utilization of CLND and adjuvant systemic therapy for SLN-positive melanoma. The study found a decline in CLND and an increase in adjuvant systemic therapy. There was significant variation among treating centers, and location of care contributed significantly to the observed variation.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Trine Schoenfeldt, John F. Thompson, Serigne Lo, Krzysztof T. Drzewiecki, Jonathan Stretch, Robyn P. M. Saw, Andrew Spillane, Kerwin Shannon, Roger F. Uren, Annette H. Chakera, Omgo E. Nieweg
ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Trine Schoenfeldt, John F. Thompson, Serigne Lo, Krzysztof T. Drzewiecki, Jonathan Stretch, Robyn P. M. Saw, Andrew Spillane, Kerwin Shannon, Roger F. Uren, Annette H. Chakera, Omgo E. Nieweg
Summary: This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of sentinel nodes (SNs) in the triangular intermuscular space (TIS) in patients with melanoma. It found that 11% of patients with melanomas on their upper back had TIS SNs, and retrieval of these SNs was important for accurate staging and to minimize the risk of recurrence in the TIS.
ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Dermatology
Rachel Teh, Ali Azimi, Gulietta M. Pupo, Marina Ali, Graham J. Mann, Pablo Fernandez-Penas
Summary: Overdiagnosis of early melanoma is a significant problem, and there is a demand for alternatives that are more accurate and cost-effective. Protein biomarkers may be more promising, but there is limited research on the proteomic investigations of melanoma progression from pigmented lesions.
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Oncology
Marc D. Moncrieff, Vernon K. Sondak, John F. Thompson, Jonathan S. Zager
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Zizhen Ming, Su Yin Lim, Ashleigh Stewart, Bernadette Pedersen, Elena Shklovskaya, Alexander M. Menzies, Matteo S. Carlino, Richard F. Kefford, Jenny H. Lee, Richard A. Scolyer, Georgina V. Long, Helen Rizos
Summary: Immunotherapy targeting PD-1 and/or CTLA4 can lead to durable responses in some melanoma patients. However, treatment resistance and lack of response are common. This study identifies a vulnerability in melanoma driven by immune cell activity, providing potential strategies for combination therapies.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Dermatology
Yuan Ni, Caroline G. Watts, Richard A. Scolyer, Christine Madronio, Bruce K. Armstrong, Rachael L. Morton, Scott W. Menzies, Graham J. Mann, John F. Thompson, Serigne N. Lo, Anne E. Cust
Summary: This cross-sectional survey identified risk factors for developing a second primary melanoma. Patients with melanoma who had characteristics such as male sex, older age, high naevus count, or melanoma on the trunk or upper limbs had a substantially higher risk of subsequent melanoma and should therefore be more intensively monitored.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Hansol Lee, Angela L. Ferguson, Camelia Quek, Ismael A. Vergara, Ines Pires daSilva, Ruth Allen, Tuba Nur Gide, Jordan W. Conway, Lambros T. Koufariotis, Nicholas K. Hayward, Nicola Waddell, Matteo S. Carlino, Alexander M. Menzies, Robyn P. M. Saw, Elena Shklovskaya, Helen Rizos, Serigne Lo, Richard A. Scolyer, Georgina V. Long, Umaimaintha Palendira, James S. Wilmott
Summary: This study characterized intratumoral macrophage populations in melanoma biopsies and investigated the association between CD16-expressing macrophage densities and treatment outcomes for patients receiving anti-PD-1 monotherapy or a combination with anti-CTLA-4. The results showed that patients who responded to combination therapy had higher CD16 macrophage densities compared to those who did not respond. Additionally, patients with high intratumoral densities of CD16 macrophages had a significantly longer progression-free survival. These findings suggest that CD16 macrophages may serve as a potential biomarker for response to combination immunotherapies in metastatic melanoma patients.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Lodewijka H. J. Holtkamp, Serigne N. Lo, John F. Thompson, Andrew J. Spillane, Jonathan R. Stretch, Robyn P. M. Saw, Kerwin F. Shannon, Omgo E. Nieweg, Angela M. Hong
Summary: This study evaluated the long-term node field control and survival of melanoma patients with node field recurrence following prior node dissection who underwent salvage surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy. The results showed that while adjuvant radiotherapy achieved control of the node field, disease progression at distant sites was common and the survival outcomes were poor.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Anne Steins, Christina Carroll, Fui Jiun Choong, Amee J. George, Jin-Shu He, Kate M. Parsons, Shouya Feng, Si Ming Man, Cathelijne Kam, Lex M. van Loon, Perlita Poh, Rita Ferreira, Graham J. Mann, Russell L. Gruen, Katherine M. Hannan, Ross Hannan, Klaus-Martin Schulte
Summary: The safety of Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is controversial, and its toxicity is mainly caused by diatomic iodine (I2). The higher the concentration and duration of PVP-I, the greater the toxicity to cells. Additionally, PVP-I can disrupt cell membranes and lipid rafts, leading to cellular dysfunction. Therefore, a reevaluation of PVP-I in clinical practice is necessary to avoid unnecessary toxicity.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2023)
Letter
Dermatology
Serigne N. Lo, Alexander H. R. Varey, Mary-Ann El Sharouni, Richard A. Scolyer, John F. Thompson
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Zhen Zeng, Hung Long Ngo, Martina Proctor, Helen Rizos, Riccardo Dolcetti, Jazmina Gonzalez Cruz, James W. Wells, Brian Gabrielli
Summary: Treatment resistance is a common challenge in melanoma patients receiving targeted and immunotherapies. However, a combination of CHK1 inhibitor and LDHU effectively targets replication stress in melanomas and promotes immune responses. Melanoma cell lines resistant to BRAF inhibitor or immune checkpoint inhibitors remain sensitive to the CHK1i + LDHU combination, showing similar sensitivity to parental tumors. In vivo, the same immune response is observed in both BRAFi-resistant and BRAFi-sensitive parental tumors after treatment.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Dermatology
W. Pruessmann, J. Rytlewski, J. Wilmott, M. C. Mimh, G. H. Atrill, B. Dyring-Andersen, P. Fields, Q. Zhan, A. J. Colebatch, P. M. Ferguson, J. F. Thompson, K. Kallenbach, E. Yusko, R. Clark, H. Robbins, R. A. Scolyer, T. S. Kupper
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Mary-Ann El Sharouni, Serigne N. Lo, Alexander H. R. Varey, Sjoerd G. Elias, Arjen J. Witkamp, Vigfus Sigurdsson, Karijn P. M. Suijkerbuijk, Paul J. van Diest, Carla H. van Gils, Willeke A. M. Blokx, Richard A. Scolyer, John F. Thompson
Summary: This article summarizes the development of risk calculators for predicting the likelihood of melanoma recurrence in patients with thin melanoma. The calculators were developed and validated using data from Dutch and Australian patients, and were found to accurately predict the risk of melanoma recurrence.
Article
Oncology
Jenny H. Lee, Zizhen Ming, Veronica K. Y. Cheung, Bernadette Pedersen, James J. Wykes, Carsten E. Palme, Jonathan J. Clark, Ruta Gupta, Helen Rizos
Summary: The identification and therapeutic targeting of actionable gene mutations in cancer treatment has shown improved response rates in some patients. However, this identification alone is often not enough to ensure long-lasting responses. This study explores the use of functional data in an ex vivo cancer explant model to guide treatment selection and presents a case study demonstrating the accuracy of this approach. The results highlight the potential of functional models in supporting genomic data and guiding treatment decisions in rare cancers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)