Acral Melanoma: A Review of Its Pathogenesis, Progression, and Management
Acral melanoma is a distinct subtype of cutaneous malignant melanoma that uniquely occurs on ultraviolet (UV)-shielded, glabrous skin of the palms, soles, and nail beds. While acral melanoma only accounts for 2–3% of all melanomas, it represents the most common subtype among darker-skinned, non-Cauc...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/120 |
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| author | Soo Hyun Kim Hensin Tsao |
| author_facet | Soo Hyun Kim Hensin Tsao |
| author_sort | Soo Hyun Kim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Acral melanoma is a distinct subtype of cutaneous malignant melanoma that uniquely occurs on ultraviolet (UV)-shielded, glabrous skin of the palms, soles, and nail beds. While acral melanoma only accounts for 2–3% of all melanomas, it represents the most common subtype among darker-skinned, non-Caucasian individuals. Unlike other cutaneous melanomas, acral melanoma does not arise from UV radiation exposure and is accordingly associated with a relatively low tumor mutational burden. Recent advances in genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic sequencing have revealed genetic alterations unique to acral melanoma, including novel driver genes, high copy number variations, and complex chromosomal rearrangements. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the clinical features, epidemiology, and treatment approaches for acral melanoma, with a focus on the genetic pathogenesis that gives rise to its unique tumor landscape. These findings highlight a need to deepen our genetic and molecular understanding to better target this challenging subtype of melanoma. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3081b38188174d5483c99570292b21cf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-3081b38188174d5483c99570292b21cf2025-01-24T13:25:16ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-01-0115112010.3390/biom15010120Acral Melanoma: A Review of Its Pathogenesis, Progression, and ManagementSoo Hyun Kim0Hensin Tsao1Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USADepartment of Dermatology, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USAAcral melanoma is a distinct subtype of cutaneous malignant melanoma that uniquely occurs on ultraviolet (UV)-shielded, glabrous skin of the palms, soles, and nail beds. While acral melanoma only accounts for 2–3% of all melanomas, it represents the most common subtype among darker-skinned, non-Caucasian individuals. Unlike other cutaneous melanomas, acral melanoma does not arise from UV radiation exposure and is accordingly associated with a relatively low tumor mutational burden. Recent advances in genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic sequencing have revealed genetic alterations unique to acral melanoma, including novel driver genes, high copy number variations, and complex chromosomal rearrangements. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the clinical features, epidemiology, and treatment approaches for acral melanoma, with a focus on the genetic pathogenesis that gives rise to its unique tumor landscape. These findings highlight a need to deepen our genetic and molecular understanding to better target this challenging subtype of melanoma.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/120acral melanomageneticsgenomicstherapy |
| spellingShingle | Soo Hyun Kim Hensin Tsao Acral Melanoma: A Review of Its Pathogenesis, Progression, and Management Biomolecules acral melanoma genetics genomics therapy |
| title | Acral Melanoma: A Review of Its Pathogenesis, Progression, and Management |
| title_full | Acral Melanoma: A Review of Its Pathogenesis, Progression, and Management |
| title_fullStr | Acral Melanoma: A Review of Its Pathogenesis, Progression, and Management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acral Melanoma: A Review of Its Pathogenesis, Progression, and Management |
| title_short | Acral Melanoma: A Review of Its Pathogenesis, Progression, and Management |
| title_sort | acral melanoma a review of its pathogenesis progression and management |
| topic | acral melanoma genetics genomics therapy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/120 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT soohyunkim acralmelanomaareviewofitspathogenesisprogressionandmanagement AT hensintsao acralmelanomaareviewofitspathogenesisprogressionandmanagement |