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Melanoma biology: the foundation of therapy
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. There are about 132,000 cases reported worldwide each year, and the incidence is rising. Despite a wealth of clinical research, therapies for melanoma have low efficacy, and the median survival for patients with metastatic disease is 6 months, with a 5-year survival of < 5%. Melanoma is a complex genetic disease. It is an immunogenic tumor, with interleukin-2 being the mainstay of its treatment. The number of therapeutic targets for melanoma is increasing as the biology of the disease, including its genetic and immunologic components, is better understood. This article reviews the novel pathways currently targeted for the treatment of melanoma, as well as those under investigation.
| Commun Oncol 2008;5(suppl 2):6–13 | full text |  285 kb |