title: Tailoring the Treatment of Melanoma: Implications for Personalized Medicine.
abstract: Oncology has been revolutionized by the ability to selectively inhibit the growth of cancerous cells while ostensibly avoiding the disruption of proteins and pathways necessary for normal cellular function. This paradigm has triggered an explosion of targeted therapies for cancer, creating a burgeoning billion-dollar industry of small molecules and monoclonal antibodies [1]. Largely due to these new treatments, spending on cancer pharmaceuticals has surpassed $100 billion worldwide [2]. In particular, the treatment of melanoma, a deadly and fast-spreading form of skin cancer, has been transformed by these new targeted therapies. In this mini-review, we summarize the progress made in the field of personalized treatment of melanoma, with an emphasis on targeted therapies. We then outline future directions for treatment, including novel cell-mediated therapies and new potential targets.
authors.affiliation: Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Linna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Narayan
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
keywords: immunotherapy; melanoma; personalized medicine; targeted therapy