Cutaneous melanoma, an extremely aggressive form of skin cancer, is still associated with a high mortality rate.
Despite enormous medical advances over the past 10 years, existing therapeutic measures are still not effective in many cases.
Side effects, resistance, and limited efficacy of targeted therapies and immunotherapeutics are the problems encountered in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. In addition, there are still no drugs that directly target the metastatic ability of melanoma cells.
However, a research team led by Wolfgang Weninger and Shweta Tikoo from MedUni Vienna’s Department of Dermatology has discovered a new option that targets the metastatic capacity of melanoma cells.
The results of the study pave the way for the development of a new class of drugs and have recently been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Metastasis and Invadopodia
In their search for a treatment option that could not only combat the spread of cancer, but even prevent it, the research team focused on the complex process of metastasis.
A key feature of this process is the formation of so-called invadopodia. These are cellular structures that are formed by cancer cells to make it easier for them to penetrate the surrounding tissue. A protein called F-actin is also involved in this process.
New Treatment Option
The research team discovered a new option that targets the metastatic capacity of melanoma cells. The results of the study pave the way for the development of a new class of drugs.
The new drug targets the formation of invadopodia and reduces the metastatic capacity of melanoma cells. The drug also downregulates the expression of genes associated with the production of neurotransmitters that regulate mood.
The study’s findings provide hope for the development of new and more effective treatments for metastatic melanoma. However, further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of the new drug.
If you care about skin health, please read studies about eating fish linked to higher risk of skin cancer, and Vitamin B3 could help prevent skin cancers.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about vegetable oil linked to spread of cancer, and results showing Vitamin D could help treat skin inflammation.
The research findings can be found in PNAS.
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