From UVs to metastases: modeling melanoma initiation and progression in the mouse.
Cutaneous malignant melanoma is highly invasive and capable of metastasizing to distant sites where it is typically resistant to available therapy. While striving to prevent or eradicate melanoma, researchers have two significant advantages not shared by those working on many other cancers. The main environmental etiological agent, UV radiation, is known and melanocytic lesions are excisable for molecular analysis from most stages. Yet knowledge about how UV initiates melanoma has been insufficient to achieve prevention, and the understanding of metastatic mechanisms has been inadequate to reduce mortality. Here, we review the value of melanoma mouse models, focusing on these critical early and late stages.
Zaidi
M Raza
MR
Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4264, USA.
Day
Chi-Ping
CP
Merlino
Glenn
G
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D051379:Mice; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*