Open Access

Melanoma: Molecular pathogenesis and emerging target therapies (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Alessia E. Russo
    • Elena Torrisi
    • Ylenia Bevelacqua
    • Rosario Perrotta
    • Massimo Libra
    • James A. McCubrey
    • Demetrios A. Spandidos
    • Franca Stivala
    • Grazia Malaponte
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 1, 2009     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo_00000277
  • Pages: 1481-1489
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Abstract

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive tumor of the skin with a poor prognosis for patients with advanced disease. It is resistant to current therapeutic approaches. In melanoma, both the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (MAPK) and the PI3K/AKT (AKT) signalling pathways are constitutively activated through multiple mechanisms. Mutations of BRAF have been proposed to contribute to melanoma development. Increased activity of the MAPK pathway prevents apoptosis and induces cell cycle progression. PTEN deletion results in Akt activation. Akt activation can result in the phosphorylation and inactivation of Raf. This decrease in downstream MEK and ERK activation may lead to loss of differentiation or senescence. This review summarizes the most relevant studies focused on the signalling pathways involved in melanomagenesis. New therapeutic strategies are also reported.

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Journal Cover

June 2009
Volume 34 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Russo AE, Torrisi E, Bevelacqua Y, Perrotta R, Libra M, McCubrey JA, Spandidos DA, Stivala F and Malaponte G: Melanoma: Molecular pathogenesis and emerging target therapies (Review). Int J Oncol 34: 1481-1489, 2009.
APA
Russo, A.E., Torrisi, E., Bevelacqua, Y., Perrotta, R., Libra, M., McCubrey, J.A. ... Malaponte, G. (2009). Melanoma: Molecular pathogenesis and emerging target therapies (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 34, 1481-1489. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo_00000277
MLA
Russo, A. E., Torrisi, E., Bevelacqua, Y., Perrotta, R., Libra, M., McCubrey, J. A., Spandidos, D. A., Stivala, F., Malaponte, G."Melanoma: Molecular pathogenesis and emerging target therapies (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 34.6 (2009): 1481-1489.
Chicago
Russo, A. E., Torrisi, E., Bevelacqua, Y., Perrotta, R., Libra, M., McCubrey, J. A., Spandidos, D. A., Stivala, F., Malaponte, G."Melanoma: Molecular pathogenesis and emerging target therapies (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 34, no. 6 (2009): 1481-1489. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo_00000277