Unraveling the Wide Spectrum of Melanoma Biomarkers.

Antonios Revythis,Evangelia Ioannidou,Stergios Boussios,Michele Moschetta,George Pappas-Gogos,Matin Sheriff,Sidrah Shah,Elie Rassy,Mikolaj Kutka,Mehmet Akif Ozturk

doi:10.3390/diagnostics11081341

Abstract

The use of biomarkers in medicine has become essential in clinical practice in order to help with diagnosis, prognostication and prediction of treatment response. Since Alexander Breslow’s original report on “melanoma and prognostic values of thickness”, providing the first biomarker for melanoma, many promising new biomarkers have followed. These include serum markers, such as lactate dehydrogenase and S100 calcium-binding protein B. However, as our understanding of the DNA mutational profile progresses, new gene targets and proteins have been identified. These include point mutations, such as mutations of the BRAF gene and tumour suppressor gene tP53. At present, only a small number of the available biomarkers are being utilised, but this may soon change as more studies are published. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of melanoma biomarkers and their utility for current and, potentially, future clinical practice.

Highlights

IntroductionIt is estimated that melanoma will be the 19th most common worldwide primary site of new cancers in both sexes in 2020, with 324,635 cases [1]
Introduction published maps and institutional affilIt is estimated that melanoma will be the 19th most common worldwide primary site of new cancers in both sexes in 2020, with 324,635 cases [1]
The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive list of serum and DNA biomarkers currently under investigation in melanoma, and future potential applications

Summary

Introduction

It is estimated that melanoma will be the 19th most common worldwide primary site of new cancers in both sexes in 2020, with 324,635 cases [1]. Immune evasion by cancer cells has become an important therapeutic target [2]. The prognosis varies according to the stage of the disease, from almost 99% 5-year survival rate in localised disease to approximately 27% when distant metastases are present [3]. As such, being able to predict which patients have the highest risk of developing distant metastases is quite important. Tumour biomarkers can be useful in predicting the risk of metastases and prognosis.

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Conclusion