title: Equine melanocytic tumors.
abstract: Melanomas are among the most common skin tumors in horses, with prevalence rates reaching as high as 80% in adult gray horses. Most melanocytic tumors are benign at initial presentation; however, if left untreated, up to two-thirds can progress to overt malignant behavior. Standard local treatment options can be used to treat solitary early-stage lesions but do not address the underlying risk of recurrent tumor formation or the transformation to a malignant phenotype. An understanding of the specific molecular genetic factors associated with tumor formation should lead to targeted therapies that can be used to treat or ideally prevent disease.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate, TN 37752, USA. Electronic address: jphill35@me.com.
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lembcke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Chemotherapy; Genetics; Horse; Immunotherapy; Melanoma; Treatment; Vaccine