title: Skin cancer and new treatment perspectives: a review.
abstract: Skin cancers are by far the most common malignancy of humans, particularly in the white population. The growing incidence of cutaneous malignancies has heralded the need for multiple treatment options. Although surgical modalities remain the mainstay of treatment, new research and fresh innovation are still required to reduce morbidity and mortality. Approaches for skin cancer may pass through new technological methods instead of new molecules. The first part of this paper provides a review of the state of the art regarding skin cancer disease as well as epidemiology data. Then, it describes the gold standards of the current recommended therapies worldwide and the actual needs of these patients. This is the first paper that highlights the novel and future therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of skin malignancies, new therapeutic agents and promising technological approaches, from nanotechnology to immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal. Electronic address: martacfsimoes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M C F
authors.initials: MCF
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal.
authors.forename: J J S
authors.initials: JJS
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra 3004-535, Portugal.
authors.forename: A A C C
authors.initials: AACC
authors.lastname: Pais
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Immunotherapy; Nanoparticles; Phototherapy; Polymers; Skin cancer