Genetic factors in metastatic progression of cutaneous melanoma: the future role of circulating melanoma cells in prognosis and management
- نوع فایل : کتاب
- زبان : انگلیسی
- مؤلف : A. Ireland M. Millward R. Pearce M. Lee M. Ziman
- چاپ و سال / کشور: 2011
Description
The greatest potential for improvement of outcome for patients with Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma lies in the prevention of systemic metastasis. Despite extensive investigation, current prognostic indicators either alone or in combination, although related to melanoma progression, are not sufficient to accurately predict the pattern of progression and outcome for any individual patient. Metastasis related death has been recorded in patients initially diagnosed with early stage tumour as well as in patients many years after initial tumour removal. The trouble finding a predictable pattern in the puzzle of melanoma progression may be linked to the fact that most of the material studied for prognosis is either, cutaneous primaries or metastatic deposits, rather than the melanoma cells in the circulatory system which are responsible for disease progression. In this review article we discuss the potential use of circulating tumour cell (CTC) detection and quantification for identifying patients at risk of metastatic deposits. We also discuss current therapies for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and analyse how CTCs may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of current therapies and to pinpoint patients who require further treatment.
Clin Exp Metastasis (2011) 28:327–336 DOI 10.1007/s10585-010-9368-2 Received: 7 September 2010 / Accepted: 13 December 2010 / Published online: 11 February 2011
