Biomaterial Database

Biology of Melanoma. 2021

Stephen M Ostrowski, and David E Fisher

Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Bartlett 6, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Melanoma skin cancer is derived from skin melanocytes and has a high risk of metastatic spread. The era of molecular genetics and next-generation sequencing has uncovered the role of oncogenic BRAFV600E mutations in many melanomas, validated the role of ultraviolet-induced DNA mutations in melanoma formation, and uncovered many of the molecular events that occur during melanoma development. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy have dramatically improved outcomes and provided an increased rate of cure for metastatic melanoma. This article reviews the formation of melanoma, the molecular events involved in melanoma growth and metastasis, and the biology underlying resistance to melanoma therapies.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007167	Immunotherapy	Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. It includes both active and passive immunization as well as immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection.	Immunotherapies
D008544	Melanocytes	Mammalian pigment cells that produce MELANINS, pigments found mainly in the EPIDERMIS, but also in the eyes and the hair, by a process called melanogenesis. Coloration can be altered by the number of melanocytes or the amount of pigment produced and stored in the organelles called MELANOSOMES. The large non-mammalian melanin-containing cells are called MELANOPHORES.	Melanocyte
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012878	Skin Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the SKIN.	Cancer of Skin,Skin Cancer,Cancer of the Skin,Neoplasms, Skin,Cancer, Skin,Cancers, Skin,Neoplasm, Skin,Skin Cancers,Skin Neoplasm
D014466	Ultraviolet Rays	That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum immediately below the visible range and extending into the x-ray frequencies. The longer wavelengths (near-UV or biotic or vital rays) are necessary for the endogenous synthesis of vitamin D and are also called antirachitic rays; the shorter, ionizing wavelengths (far-UV or abiotic or extravital rays) are viricidal, bactericidal, mutagenic, and carcinogenic and are used as disinfectants.	Actinic Rays,Black Light, Ultraviolet,UV Light,UV Radiation,Ultra-Violet Rays,Ultraviolet Light,Ultraviolet Radiation,Actinic Ray,Light, UV,Light, Ultraviolet,Radiation, UV,Radiation, Ultraviolet,Ray, Actinic,Ray, Ultra-Violet,Ray, Ultraviolet,Ultra Violet Rays,Ultra-Violet Ray,Ultraviolet Black Light,Ultraviolet Black Lights,Ultraviolet Radiations,Ultraviolet Ray
D051739	Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor	A basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor that regulates the CELL DIFFERENTIATION and development of a variety of cell types including MELANOCYTES; OSTEOCLASTS; and RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM. Mutations in MITF protein have been associated with OSTEOPETROSIS and WAARDENBURG SYNDROME.	MITF Protein,MITF Transcription Factor,Transcription Factor Microphthalmia,Microphthalmia Associated Transcription Factor,Microphthalmia, Transcription Factor,Transcription Factor, Microphthalmia-Associated
D019008	Drug Resistance, Neoplasm	Resistance or diminished response of a neoplasm to an antineoplastic agent in humans, animals, or cell or tissue cultures.	Antibiotic Resistance, Neoplasm,Antineoplastic Drug Resistance,Drug Resistance, Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Agent Resistance,Neoplasm Drug Resistance,Resistance, Antineoplastic Agent,Resistance, Antineoplastic Drug
D063646	Carcinogenesis	The origin, production or development of cancer through genotypic and phenotypic changes which upset the normal balance between cell proliferation and cell death. Carcinogenesis generally requires a constellation of steps, which may occur quickly or over a period of many years.	Tumorigenesis,Oncogenesis,Carcinogeneses,Oncogeneses,Tumorigeneses