title: Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway in Cutaneous Melanoma: An Updated Review.
abstract: The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is a cascade of protein kinases that act in a sequential and predominantly linear fashion, albeit displaying some cross talk with other signaling cascades. Mutations in proteins integral to the MAPK signaling pathway are present in more than 50% of cutaneous melanomas. The most frequently mutated protein is v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF), followed by neuroblastoma Ras viral oncogene homolog (NRAS). Recently, the development of targeted drugs for the treatment of BRAF-mutant melanoma has led to the widespread implementation of molecular assays for the detection of specific BRAF mutations. There have been some attempts to standardize testing of BRAF mutations, but this has not been achieved so far. Here we provide an updated review on the role of the MAPK signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma, focusing on several different BRAF mutations and their diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
authors: From the Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago.
authors: Andres Martin
authors: AM
authors: Acosta
authors: ShriHari S
authors: SS
authors: Kadkol
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009154:Mutation; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072417:Protein Domains; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf