The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in melanoma part I - Activation and primary resistance mechanisms to BRAF inhibition.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has an important role in normal cells and can be activated under physiological conditions. MAPK pathway activation is a fundamental step in several intracellular processes requiring a sequential phosphorylation of the different pathway components. In normal cells, when MAPK pathway activation occurs, it leads to cell growth and differentiation. In order to prevent persistent MAPK pathway activation, physiological upstream negative feedback also takes place. In cells harbouring BRAFV600 mutations, the process leading to MAPK pathway activation is different, and the negative physiological feedback does not exist thus leading to permanent MAPK pathway activation, which ultimately can lead to uncontrolled proliferation. Targeted therapy with rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma - B (BRAF) and/or mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors is indicated in patients with metastatic melanoma harboring BRAFV600 mutations. However, several different resistance mechanisms to this therapy were identified. In this review, we focus on primary or intrinsic resistance mechanisms to BRAF and MEK inhibition. In this setting, although a BRAF mutation is identified, there is no response to treatment with either BRAF or MEK inhibitor.
Center for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Portuguese Air Force Health Direction, Paço do Lumiar, 1649-020 Lisbon, Portugal. Electronic address: teresa.amaral@med.uni-tuebingen.de.
Teresa
T
Amaral
Center for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Tobias
T
Sinnberg
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74D, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
Friedegund
F
Meier
Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program and Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Clemens
C
Krepler
University of Zürich Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Wagistrasse 14, CH-8952 Schlieren, Zürich, Switzerland.
Mitchell
M
Levesque
Center for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Heike
H
Niessner
Center for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Claus
C
Garbe
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009154:Mutation; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000235:genetics*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
BRAF mutation; MAP kinase pathway; Metastatic melanoma; PI3K pathway; Primary resistance to targeted therapy