Aberrant DNA methylation in malignant melanoma

Carolina Schinke, Yongkai Mo, Yiting Yu, Kathy Amiri, Jeff Sosman, John Greally, Amit Verma

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

Malignant melanoma remains one of the most deadly human cancers with no effective cures for metastatic disease. The poor efficacy of current therapy in advanced melanoma highlights the need for better understanding of molecular mechanisms contributing to the disease. Recent work has shown that epigenetic changes, including aberrant DNA methylation, lead to alterations in gene expression and are as important in the development of malignant melanoma as the specific and well-characterized genetic events. Reversion of these methylation patterns could thus lead to a more targeted therapy and are currently under clinical investigation. The purpose of this review is to compile recent information on aberrant DNA methylation of melanoma, to highlight key genes and molecular pathways in melanoma development, which have been found to be epigenetically altered and to provide insight as to how DNA methylation might serve as targeted treatment option as well as a molecular and prognostic marker in malignant melanoma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)253-265
Number of pages13
JournalMelanoma Research
Volume20
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2010

Keywords

  • decitabine
  • epigenetics
  • hypermethylation
  • melanoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Cancer Research

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