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Biomedicines
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Molecular Research and New Therapy in Melanoma
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Molecular Research and New Therapy in Melanoma

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 4561

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Vijayasteltar B. Liju

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology-Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
Interests: molecular cancer; metastasis; protein kinase C; micro peptide; breast cancer; cancer stem cells; melanoma; tumor biology; targeted therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Melanoma is the most aggressive of all skin cancers due to its metastatic nature. Potential advancements in melanoma therapy rely on advanced research that addresses the molecular complexity of this cancer. The current scenario requires both advanced scientific knowledge coupled with empirical evidence in identifying new therapeutic targets in order to improve drug sensitivity and overcome secondary resistance. Innovative research approaches focusing on the molecular mechanisms of the tumor microenvironment provides key insights into either reducing or eliminating melanoma. The aim of this Special Issue is to present a unified collection of the latest research articles and findings on melanoma, focusing on identifying new realms of molecular mechanisms and biomarkers and hopefully prompting the invention of significant molecular targeted therapies. This Special Issue includes the latest research articles on the mutations, signaling pathways, and immune responses that determine melanoma progression. This unified collection aims to describe how the latest findings are proving beneficial in developing innovative therapies, including targeted treatments and immunotherapies for melanoma patients. These research findings can pave the way for transforming preclinical trials into clinical practices. We welcome original research articles and reviews that address the molecular mechanisms behind melanoma and novel therapies related to the disease.

Dr. Vijayasteltar B Liju
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • melanoma
  • metastasis
  • targeted therapies
  • immunotherapy
  • tumor microenvironment
  • combination therapies
  • molecular pathways

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 869 KiB  
Article
Variation in Immune and Inflammatory Blood Markers in Advanced Melanoma Patients Treated with PD-1 Inhibitors: A Preliminary Exploratory Study
by Lucica Madalina Bolovan, Marieta Elena Panait, Antonela Busca, Adina Elena Stanciu, Daniela Chiriac, Corina Elena Mihalcea, Camelia Mia Hotnog, Mihai Teodor Georgescu, Silviu Cristian Voinea, Virgiliu Mihail Prunoiu, Lorelei Irina Brasoveanu and Laurentia Nicoleta Gales
Biomedicines 2025, 13(6), 1378; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13061378 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 575
Abstract
Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) used for the treatment of advanced melanoma have yielded significant results, with long-term responses and improved survival rates, but not for all treated patients. Therefore, predictive biomarkers of response to ICI therapy have been intensively explored. Our study [...] Read more.
Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) used for the treatment of advanced melanoma have yielded significant results, with long-term responses and improved survival rates, but not for all treated patients. Therefore, predictive biomarkers of response to ICI therapy have been intensively explored. Our study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of peripheral blood lymphocyte variation and their correlation with a set of related inflammatory factors in Nivolumab-treated advanced melanoma patients. Methods: The immunophenotypic assessment of peripheral blood immune cell subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells; CD19+ B cells; CD16+CD56+ NK cells; and CD4+/CD8+ ratio) was performed by the flow cytometry technique, concomitantly with a complete blood count; levels of S100, IL-6, and TNF-α proteins were quantified in serum by immunoassays, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by a chemiluminescence assay. Results: Approximately 85% and 79% of patients recorded a trend of increasing levels of CD8+ lymphocytes and NK cells, respectively, during therapy. The percentage of NK cells negatively correlated with CD3+, CD4+, and CD19+ cells; the last three cell populations also established negative correlations with the inflammatory neutrophile/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Furthermore, CD19+ cells were negatively correlated with the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII). The evaluation of progression biomarkers showed that LDH levels directly correlated with IL-6 and S100 proteins, but no correlation was found with TNFα; IL-6 levels negatively correlated with percentages of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocytes. Conclusions: Variation in lymphocyte subpopulations during immunotherapy of advanced melanoma patients, associated with other cellular and/or molecular inflammatory markers, might provide insights about immune system response, but additional prospective studies are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and New Therapy in Melanoma)
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Review

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18 pages, 978 KiB  
Review
A Consolidated Review of Contemporary Targeted and Immunotherapeutic Options for Melanoma
by Parker J. Champion, Jacob R. Bluestein, Anthony E. Quinn, Scott D. Bell, Josiah H. Kiley, Mark R. Wakefield and Yujiang Fang
Biomedicines 2025, 13(6), 1388; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13061388 - 5 Jun 2025
Viewed by 604
Abstract
The incidence of melanoma is increasing globally, even in the wake of increased risk factor awareness and a growing body of advanced therapeutic options. It is apparent that the treatment of melanoma will remain a topic of worry in areas of the world [...] Read more.
The incidence of melanoma is increasing globally, even in the wake of increased risk factor awareness and a growing body of advanced therapeutic options. It is apparent that the treatment of melanoma will remain a topic of worry in areas of the world under high ultraviolet exposure and areas that harbor individuals with fair skin phenotypes. In the wake of such concern, the potential of immunotherapy and various targeted therapeutics to treat late-stage melanoma is increasing. In addition to the growing arsenal of PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, other targeted therapies are being developed and tested to treat melanoma. BRAF/MEK inhibitors target a key proliferative pathway in melanoma, offering clinical benefit but limited durability. Next-generation agents and triplet therapy with immunotherapy aim to improve outcomes. Androgen receptor signaling may also modulate responses to both targeted and immune-based treatments. Bispecific T cell engagers assist with guiding the body’s own T cells to tumors where they release toxins that kill the tumor cell. Personalized neoantigen vaccines target tumor-specific antigens by sequencing a patient’s cancerous cells to create tailored vaccines that elicit a strong and specific immune response. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are autologous lymphocytes reinfused back into the host that are showing efficacy in the treatment of advanced melanoma. Together, these therapies are advancing the arsenal of chemotherapeutic options that can be used to inhibit the progression of melanoma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and New Therapy in Melanoma)
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15 pages, 2118 KiB  
Review
Advances in Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy of Malignant Melanoma
by Xue Wang, Shanshan Ma, Shuting Zhu, Liucun Zhu and Wenna Guo
Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010225 - 17 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
Malignant melanoma (MM) is a malignant tumor, resulting from mutations in melanocytes of the skin and mucous membranes. Its mortality rate accounts for 90% of all dermatologic tumor mortality. Traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are unable to achieve the expected [...] Read more.
Malignant melanoma (MM) is a malignant tumor, resulting from mutations in melanocytes of the skin and mucous membranes. Its mortality rate accounts for 90% of all dermatologic tumor mortality. Traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are unable to achieve the expected results due to MM’s low sensitivity, high drug resistance, and toxic side effects. As treatment advances, immunotherapy and targeted therapy have made significant breakthroughs in the treatment of MM and have demonstrated promising application prospects. However, the heterogeneity of tumor immune response causes more than half of patients to not benefit from clinical immunotherapy and targeted therapy, which delays the patient’s condition and causes them to suffer adverse immune events’ side effects. The combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy can help improve therapeutic effects, delay drug resistance, and mitigate adverse effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current development status and research progress of immune checkpoints, targeted genes, and their inhibitors, with a view to providing a reference for the clinical treatment of MM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and New Therapy in Melanoma)
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