Role of Genetics and Epigenetics in Mucosal, Uveal, and Cutaneous Melanomagenesis

Title:Role of Genetics and Epigenetics in Mucosal, Uveal, and Cutaneous Melanomagenesis

Volume: 16 Issue: 5

Author(s): Mario Venza, Maria Visalli, Concetta Beninati, Carmelo Biondo, Diana Teti and Isabella Venza

Affiliation:

Keywords: Cutaneous melanoma, epigenetics, genetics, mucosal melanoma, uveal melanoma.

Abstract: Melanoma prevalently occurs on parts of the body that have been overexposed to the sun. However, it can also originate in the nervous system, eye and mucous membranes. Melanoma has been thought for a long time to arise through a series of genetic mechanisms involving numerous irreversible changes within the human genome. However, recently, “epimutations” have attracted considerable attention owing to their high prevalence rate and reversible nature. These observations opened up new perspectives in the use of epidrugs with the potential for restoring the “correct” control of neoplastic genomes. Here, we focused on the common consensus on genetics and epigenetics in melanoma. We also discussed the clinical applications of regulators of epigenetic enzymes able to revert the epigenetic and metabolic hallmarks of melanoma cells. Such anti-neoplastic agents affect the expression profile of antioncogenes, proto-oncogenes, and microRNAs resulting in enhanced differentiation, apoptosis, and growth inhibition.

Cite this article as:

Venza Mario, Visalli Maria, Beninati Concetta, Biondo Carmelo, Teti Diana and Venza Isabella, Role of Genetics and Epigenetics in Mucosal, Uveal, and Cutaneous Melanomagenesis, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2016; 16 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520615666150803124139