Melanoma: understanding relevant molecular pathways as well as available and emerging therapies.

ABSTRACT

Since 2011, 6 therapies, including cell signaling kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint targeting antibodies, have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of melanoma. Due to advancements in research and a greater understanding of the role of the immune system in cancer as well as the molecular biology of melanoma tumors, novel therapies are emerging to combat and effectively manage melanoma tumors. Advances in research are resulting in prolonging rates of survival of patients with metastatic melanoma. Research is ongoing to gain deeper insight to discover (1) which patients are most likely to respond to and benefit from immunotherapy, (2) how to treat patients who have disease progression after treatment with targeted agents, and (3) how best to combine these approved immunologic therapies, targeted drugs, and emerging therapies, as well as their safety and efficacy.