Targeted agents for the treatment of metastatic melanoma

Abstract

Jose G Monzon, Janet DanceyNCIC Clinical Trials Group, Kingston, Ontario, CanadaAbstract: In the last year, the armamentarium of melanoma therapeutics has radically changed. Recent discoveries in melanoma biology and immunology have led to novel therapeutics targeting known oncogenes and immunotherapeutic antibodies. Phase III clinical trials of these agents have reported measurable and meaningful benefits to patients with metastatic disease. In this article, we review recent findings and discuss their significance in melanoma therapy. As our understanding of melanoma biology grows, this initial therapeutic success may be enhanced through the use of molecular markers to select patients, and new targeted immunotherapies in sequential or combination drug regimens.Keywords: metastatic melanoma, ipilimumab, vemurafenib, antitumor