Biomarkers as Key Contributors in Treating Malignant Melanoma Metastases

Autor(es)

de Souza, Camila Ferreira ; Morais, Alice Santana ; Jasiulionis, Miriam Galvonas

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: DERMATOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE; v. 2012, p. 14-pg., 2012-01-01.

Resumo

Melanoma is a human neurocristopathy associated with developmental defects in the neural crest-derived epidermal melanocytes. At the present time, at least three hypotheses were identified that may explain melanoma aetiology, as follows: (1) a model of linear progression from differentiated melanocytes to metastatic cancer cells (2) a model involving the appearance of melanoma stem-like cells, and (3) an epigenetic progenitor model of cancer. Treating metastatic melanoma is one of the most serious challenges in the 21st century. This is justified because of a subpopulation of cells presenting a remarkable molecular heterogeneity, which is able to explain the drug resistance and the growing mortality rates worldwide. Fortunately, there are now evidences sustaining the importance of genetic, epigenetic, and metabolomic alterations as biomarkers for classification, staging, and better management of melanoma patients. To illustrate some fascinating insights in this field, the genes BRAF(V600E) and CTLA4 have been recognized as bona fide targets to benefit melanoma patients. Our research attempts to carefully evaluate data from the literature in order to highlight the link between a molecular disease model and the key contribution of biomarkers in treating malignant melanoma metastases. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/51462-9 - Assinaturas moleculares da progressao do melanoma.
• Beneficiário: Camila Ferreira de Souza
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 09/03335-8 - Identificação de genes que apresentam expressão alterada devido à metilação aberrante de seu promotor nas fases iniciais da progressão do melanoma
• Beneficiário: Alice Santana Morais
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado
• Processo FAPESP: 06/61293-1 - Contribuição da metilação de DNA na carcinogênese
• Beneficiário: Miriam Galvonas Jasiulionis
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores