Updates in clinical trial-explored chemopreventive agents for cutaneous melanoma: mechanisms affecting melanocytes

Cutaneous melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer with rising incidence, driven by risk factors such as ultraviolet exposure, genetic predisposition, and immunosuppression. While surgical excision remains the primary treatment, interest in chemoprevention strategies is growing. Numerous natural...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gelare Ghajar-Rahimi, Nabiha Yusuf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-05-01
Series:Melanoma Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20450885.2025.2505400
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Cutaneous melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer with rising incidence, driven by risk factors such as ultraviolet exposure, genetic predisposition, and immunosuppression. While surgical excision remains the primary treatment, interest in chemoprevention strategies is growing. Numerous natural and synthetic agents have shown preclinical promise, but evaluating their effectiveness is challenging due to their systemic effects on multiple cell types. This review provides a focused examination of the melanocyte-specific mechanisms of select agents that have been tested in clinical trials for melanoma chemoprevention. We discuss various molecular and cellular mechanisms driving the anti-melanoma properties of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, statins, sulforaphane, vitamin D, and N-acetylcysteine. Despite promising preclinical and early clinical data, challenges remain regarding precise mechanisms, optimal dosing, long-term safety, and patient selection. Future research should focus on refining melanoma prevention strategies through well-designed clinical trials and personalized approaches integrating genetic and molecular risk factors.
ISSN:2045-0885
2045-0893