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Annals of Surgical Oncology
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 11/2015

01-10-2015 | Melanomas

Melanoma: Advances in Targeted Therapy and Molecular Markers

Authors: Danielle K. DePeralta, MD, Genevieve M. Boland, MD, PhD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 11/2015

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Abstract

Purpose and Design

In recent years, there have been dramatic improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with melanoma. The development of molecular markers and associated targeted therapies have given new hope to subsets of patients with advanced disease. Here we discuss the most important advances in molecular targeted therapy and how these developments are likely to affect the practice of the clinical surgeon.

Results and Conclusions

Germ-line and somatic mutations are common in melanoma and provide prognostic information that can now be harnessed to provide a more personalized approach to cancer treatment. BRAF mutation at the V600 position is the most commonly identified mutation in patients with melanoma. Treatment with targeted inhibitors in patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma has afforded dramatic responses in about half of selected patients. Unfortunately, disease control is not durable and recurrences are common. We predict an increasing role for the surgeon in the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with metastatic disease, as well as a role for molecular profiling in patients with high-risk early stage disease. Further, we are only beginning to understand the prognostic significance of various gene mutations in patients with melanoma.
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Metadata
Title
Melanoma: Advances in Targeted Therapy and Molecular Markers
Authors
Danielle K. DePeralta, MD
Genevieve M. Boland, MD, PhD
Publication date
01-10-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 11/2015
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-015-4702-1

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