Szczepaniak et al. review how the mechanisms of action of common molecular alterations that occur in melanoma (BRAF, NRAS, PTEN, Wnt/β-Catenin signaling, neoantigen load, resistance-conferring mutations) could affect the therapeutic response or resistance to immunotherapies. They also highlight the need for translational research and biomarker identification.
Major advances have been made in melanoma treatment with the use of molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies, and numerous regimens are now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for patients with stage IV disease. However, therapeutic resistance remains an issue to both classes of agents, and reliable biomarkers of therapeutic response and resistance are lacking. Mechanistic insights are being gained through preclinical studies and translational research, offering potential strategies to enhance responses and survival in treated patients. A comprehensive understanding of the immune effects of common mutations at play in melanoma is critical, as is an appreciation of the molecular mechanisms contributing to therapeutic resistance to immunotherapy. These mechanisms and the interplay between them are discussed herein. Cancer 2017;123:2130-42. (c) 2017 American Cancer Society.
Author Info: (1) Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. (2) Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Can
Author Info: (1) Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. (2) Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. (3) Department of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. (4) Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. (5) Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. (6) Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
