Melanoma: targeting signaling pathways and RaLP.
BACKGROUND
Metastatic melanoma remains one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, with a survival expectation of above six months only in rare cases. Despite advances in the characterization of the underlying molecular pathways and in the development of specific targeted treatments, available chemo- and immuno-therapy are unable to prolong survival significantly in advanced-stage melanoma. Rai like protein (RaLP) is a newly identified Src homology 2 domain containing (Shc) family member selectively expressed during the transition to metastatic melanoma and thus is a potential melanoma-specific drugable target.


OBJECTIVE
To summarize progress in the ongoing therapeutic approaches to metastatic melanoma and discuss RaLP as a potential novel therapeutic target.


METHODS
Current understanding of the major signaling pathways involved in melanoma metastatization and of the corresponding pharmacological inhibitors is discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
RaLP might represent a new drugable target for the treatment of metastatic disease.
Pasini
Luigi
L
IFOM-IEO Campus, European Institute of Oncology, Department of Experimental Oncology, Via Adamello, 16 20139 Milan, Italy.
Turco
Margherita Y
MY
Luzi
Lucilla
L
Aladowicz
Ewa
E
Fagiani
Ernesta
E
Lanfrancone
Luisa
L
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D055765:Shc Signaling Adaptor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
C519335:SHC4 protein, human; D055765:Shc Signaling Adaptor Proteins