A Review of Key Biological and Molecular Events Underpinning Transformation of Melanocytes to Primary and Metastatic Melanoma

Abstract

Melanoma is a major public health concern that is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in countries such as New Zealand and Australia where it is the commonest cause of cancer death in young adults. Until recently, there were no effective drug therapies for patients with advanced melanoma however significant advances in our understanding of the biological and molecular basis of melanoma in recent decades have led to the development of revolutionary treatments, including targeted molecular therapy and immunotherapy. This review summarizes our current understanding of the key events in the pathway of melanomagenesis and discusses the role of genomic analysis as a potential tool for improved diagnostic evaluation, prognostication and treatment strategies. Ultimately, it is hoped that a continued deeper understanding of the mechanisms of melanomagenesis will lead to the development of even more effective treatments that continue to provide better outcomes for patients with melanoma.

Essential Oils and Their Main Chemical Components: The Past 20 Years of Preclinical Studies in Melanoma

“…Through the α-MSH/MC1R binding and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A-cAMP response element binding protein (cAMP-PKA-CREB) signaling pathway, α-MSH stimulation activates microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), that in turn increases the expression of its target melanogenic genes, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and -2 (TRP-2). Furthermore, ERK1/2 are involved in the regulation of MITF expression through their ability to promote MITF phosphorylation and degradation [240,241]. α-MSH-induced melanogenesis is associated with ROS generation [242].…”

Identification of an Immune-Related Prognostic Signature Associated With Immune Infiltration in Melanoma

“…Melanoma is the most fatal form of skin tumors and is malignantly transformed from melanocytes (Jackett and Scolyer, 2019). Despite awareness that melanoma progression is primarily caused by complex interactions between environmental and host risk factors (Schadendorf et al, 2018), there were approximately 96,000 new cases and 9,000 deaths of melanoma worldwide in 2018 (Siegel et al, 2018).…”

Oncogenic Tyrosine Phosphatases: Novel Therapeutic Targets for Melanoma Treatment

“…Malignant melanoma is an aggressive form of cutaneous neoplasia that derives from a series of alterations occurring in melanocytes, the melanin-producing cells resident in the basal layer of the epidermidis [ 36 ]. Melanoma retains the highest mortality rate among skin cancers and the highest potential of dissemination [ 37 ].…”