Article
Dermatology
Thiago P. Muniz, Hadas Sorotsky, Yada Kanjanapan, April A. N. Rose, Daniel Araujo, Alexander Fortuna, Danny Ghazarian, Zaid Saeed Kamil, Trevor Pugh, Michelle Mah, Madhuran Thiagarajah, Dax Torti, Anna Spreafico, David Hogg
Summary: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST)-like melanoma shares genomic features with cutaneous melanoma and MPNST, but stands out for its frequent loss of function of ZNF331 and SERPINB4.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jinfang Liu, Jun Xu, Binlin Luo, Jian Tang, Zuoqiong Hou, Zhechen Zhu, Lingjun Zhu, Gang Yao, Chujun Li
Summary: This study aimed to explore the immune response mechanism of RNA binding protein RBM38 in the development of melanoma and to screen effective immunodiagnostic models and targeted therapy. It was found that RBM38, as an oncogene, promotes the proliferation, invasion, and migration of melanoma cells and is associated with immune infiltration and pathways. The constructed immune prognosis model using RBM38-related immune differentially expressed genes (DEGs) may help evaluate melanoma patient prognosis and guide immunotherapy strategies.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Luigi Battaglia, Anna Scomparin, Chiara Dianzani, Paola Milla, Elisabetta Muntoni, Silvia Arpicco, Roberta Cavalli
Summary: Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive solid tumor with low survival rates, and current clinical treatments include various methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems play a crucial role in improving therapeutic efficacy, especially in combination therapy. Italian researchers are focusing on developing nanoformulations for malignant melanoma therapy and there are numerous nanomedicines undergoing clinical trials in the country.
Review
Oncology
Gerardo Cazzato, Eliano Cascardi, Anna Colagrande, Teresa Lettini, Leonardo Resta, Cinzia Bizzoca, Francesca Arezzo, Vera Loizzi, Miriam Dellino, Gennaro Cormio, Nadia Casatta, Carmelo Lupo, Antonio Scillimati, Salvatore Scacco, Paola Parente, Lucia Lospalluti, Giuseppe Ingravallo
Summary: This article provides a systematic review of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) in terms of its history, epidemiology, treatment, and future research directions. PMME is an extremely rare form of esophageal cancer that has been subject to debate regarding its existence. Over time, more cases have been reported, increasing knowledge and paving the way for discussions on treatment. Currently, surgery remains the primary treatment approach, but new therapeutic strategies, such as nivolumab, are being explored. Future studies with large case series, including clinicopathological and molecular data, are needed to improve the outcome of PMME patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sixue Liu, Prashanthi Dharanipragada, Shirley H. Lomeli, Yan Wang, Xiao Zhang, Zhentao Yang, Raymond J. Lim, Camelia Dumitras, Philip O. Scumpia, Steve M. Dubinett, Gatien Moriceau, Douglas B. Johnson, Stergios J. Moschos, Roger S. Lo
Summary: Genomic analyses reveal the genetic and transcriptomic landscape of melanoma with acquired resistance to MAPK inhibitor and immune checkpoint blockade therapies, providing insights for improving therapeutic strategies.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Juan Tang, Youling Gong, Xuelei Ma
Summary: The discovery of oncogenes and immune checkpoints has revolutionized the treatment of melanoma in the past 10 years. However, the current PD-L1 checkpoints lack specificity for tumors and target normal cells expressing PD-L1, thus reducing the efficacy on malignant melanoma and increasing the side effects. In addition, the treatment options for primary or secondary drug-resistant melanoma are limited. Bispecific antibodies bind tumor cells and immune cells by simultaneously targeting two antigens, enhancing the anti-tumor targeting effect and cytotoxicity and reducing drug-resistance in malignant melanoma, thus representing an emerging strategy to improve the clinical efficacy.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Kerrie L. Marie, Glenn Merlino, Chi -Ping Day
Summary: Melanoma evolution may resemble the embryonic development of neural crest, generating cell subpopulations with distinct functions, including growth and metastasis.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Joyce Ribeiro Moura Brasil Arnaut, Isabella dos Santos Guimaraes, Anna Claudia Evangelista dos Santos, Flora de Moraes Lino da Silva, Jorge Ricardo Machado, Andreia Cristina de Melo
Summary: Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer, with a portion of cases classified as hereditary. Besides melanoma, affected families are also more prone to develop other malignancies. Identifying risk families and associated genes is crucial for oncological surveillance.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ONCOLOGY HEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Tatiany L. Silveira, Lisa Y. Pang, Alexandra Di Domenico, Emerson S. Veloso, Istefani L. D. Silva, Helen L. Del Puerto, Enio Ferreria, David J. Argyle
Summary: Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer in humans and dogs, with COX-2 potentially playing a critical role in malignant behavior. The study on canine melanomas showed that COX-2 is overexpressed in both oral and cutaneous melanomas, correlating with poor prognosis markers. The research also established a direct relationship between COX-2 expression and malignant behavior in canine melanoma, providing a powerful molecular tool for further understanding melanoma progression.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simeon Santourlidis, Wolfgang A. Schulz, Marcos J. Arauzo-Bravo, Daniela Gerovska, Pauline Ott, Marcelo L. Bendhack, Mohamed Hassan, Lars Erichsen
Summary: Epigenetic mechanisms play a fundamental role in the initiation and development of melanoma, but research in this area is relatively limited compared to other cancers. This review provides a brief summary of the epigenetic aspects relevant to melanoma pathogenesis and introduces new perspectives from epigenetic research in other cancers that may have potential for melanoma diagnosis and therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Ying-Chen Cheng, Yu-An Chang, Yi-Jen Chen, Hsu-Min Sung, Ivan Bogeski, Hong-Lin Su, Ya-Ling Hsu, Hui-Min David Wang
Summary: Different types of cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the tumor microenvironment, affecting tumor growth, progression, and immune response. Recent studies have explored the potential application of EVs in cancer treatment. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which EVs regulate melanoma development and progression, and their potential use in therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lisa Elefanti, Carolina Zamuner, Paolo Del Fiore, Camilla Stagni, Stefania Pellegrini, Luigi Dall'Olmo, Alessio Fabozzi, Rebecca Senetta, Simone Ribero, Roberto Salmaso, Simone Mocellin, Franco Bassetto, Francesco Cavallin, Anna Lisa Tosi, Francesca Galuppini, Angelo Paolo Dei Tos, Chiara Menin, Rocco Cappellesso
Summary: Acral melanoma is a rare and aggressive subtype of melanoma, unrelated to UV radiation, with low mutation burden but frequent chromosomal rearrangements and gene amplifications. The most commonly mutated genes are BRAF, NRAS, and TP53, with some genetic alterations associated with histologic prognostic features.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Giovanni Falcicchio, Lorenzo Vinci, Ettore Cicinelli, Vera Loizzi, Francesca Arezzo, Erica Silvestris, Leonardo Resta, Gabriella Serio, Gerardo Cazzato, Marialuigia Mastronardi, Michele Mongelli, Marco Marinaccio, Gennaro Cormio
Summary: Vulvar melanoma is a rare and fatal disease that primarily affects older Caucasian women, with an unclear relationship to sun exposure. Diagnosis is mainly based on biopsy, and the molecular profile includes mutations in KIT, BRAF, and NRAS which can serve as potential therapeutic targets. Surgery remains the first treatment choice for primary VM, while the role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy is limited and the management of relapses is widely debated.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yao Huang, Tingting Peng, Yangyan Chen, Fapeng Zhang, Wanshan Hu, XinYi Gao, Hongyu Chen, Ping Tang, Chuanbin Wu, Xin Pan
Summary: This study developed an oxygen reservoir-irrigated photodynamic therapy (PDT) that integrates oxygen supply, oxygen economizing, and oxygen infiltration. By modulating tumor oxygenation and permeability, it achieves complete eradication of primary melanoma and stimulates immunogenic cell death.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yao Huang, Tingting Peng, Yangyan Chen, Fapeng Zhang, Wanshan Hu, XinYi Gao, Hongyu Chen, Ping Tang, Chuanbin Wu, Xin Pan
Summary: An oxygen reservoir-irrigated photodynamic therapy has been developed to improve the efficacy of tumor treatment by considering oxygen supply, economizing, and infiltration. This therapy effectively reduces tumor hypoxia, promotes immunogenic cell death, and enhances the antitumor effects when combined with checkpoint-blockade inhibitors.
