Oncogenetics of melanoma: basis for molecular diagnostics and therapy

Laura Held; Thomas K Eigentler; Friedegund Meier; Marko Held; Martin Röcken; Claus Garbe; Jürgen Bauer

doi:10.1111/j.1610-0387.2011.07603.x

Oncogenetics of melanoma: basis for molecular diagnostics and therapy

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2011 Jul;9(7):510-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2011.07603.x. Epub 2011 Jan 19.

[Article in English, German]

Authors

Laura Held¹, Thomas K Eigentler, Friedegund Meier, Marko Held, Martin Röcken, Claus Garbe, Jürgen Bauer

Affiliation

¹ Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Germany.

PMID: 21244632
DOI: 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2011.07603.x

Abstract

Our understanding of oncogenetics and of the molecular mechanisms involved in melanoma development and signaling has dramatically changed in recent years. Today, melanomas are also classified based on molecular alterations. Emerging molecular therapies are targeted against specific mutations in melanoma. An example of targeted therapies is the successful treatment of KIT-mutant melanoma with the kinase inhibitor imatinib. Highly selective BRAF-inhibitors are likewise under clinical development and show encouraging clinical responses. An increasing number of targeted drugs will emerge in the coming years, based on molecular diagnostics and classification. The present article reviews signaling pathways in melanocytes and alterations in melanoma that are a prerequisite to understanding modern cancer therapies in melanoma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
Benzamides
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
DNA Mutational Analysis
Drugs, Investigational / administration & dosage
Humans
Imatinib Mesylate
Melanoma / diagnosis*
Melanoma / drug therapy
Melanoma / genetics*
Melanoma / pathology
Molecular Targeted Therapy*
Piperazines / administration & dosage
Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / antagonists & inhibitors
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / antagonists & inhibitors
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
Pyrimidines / administration & dosage
Signal Transduction / genetics
Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
Skin Neoplasms / genetics*
Skin Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Benzamides
Drugs, Investigational
Piperazines
Pyrimidines
Imatinib Mesylate
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
BRAF protein, human
Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf