2025
MIF as an oncogenic driver of low‐heterogeneity melanomas
Tran T, Sánchez‐Zuno G, Kulkarni R, Kluger H, Bucala R. MIF as an oncogenic driver of low‐heterogeneity melanomas. Molecular Oncology 2025, 19: 1295-1298. PMID: 40131169, PMCID: PMC12077282, DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.70031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMacrophage migration inhibitory factorImproving therapeutic outcomesMigration inhibitory factorPotential therapeutic utilityImmune landscapeMelanoma clonesImmune escapeT cellsImmunoregulatory cytokinesTumor heterogeneityTumor progressionOncogenic driversPathway inhibitorTherapeutic outcomesTumor evolutionInhibitory factorCell proliferationMelanomaTumorCellsAntagonistCytokinesReal-world outcomes with T-VEC in patients with anti-PD-1 resistant in-transit disease from melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma
Su D, McNamara M, Kaszycki M, Frey A, Ishizuka J, Costa P, Tran T, Kluger H, Clune J, Weiss S, Olino K. Real-world outcomes with T-VEC in patients with anti-PD-1 resistant in-transit disease from melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. Surgical Oncology Insight 2025, 2: 100120. DOI: 10.1016/j.soi.2024.100120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMerkel cell carcinomaMerkel cell carcinoma casesT-VECCell carcinomaMedian numberAnti-PD-1 blockadeStage IIIB-IV melanomaAdvanced Merkel cell carcinomaIn-transit melanomaIn-transit diseaseICI therapyTalimogene laherparepvecAdvanced melanomaCancer immunotherapyMetastatic sitesPartial responseIn-transitRegional metastasesMedian ageGrade 3Adverse eventsTreatment cyclesDisease progressionMelanomaPatientsFAK inhibition combined with the RAF-MEK clamp avutometinib overcomes resistance to targeted and immune therapies in BRAF V600E melanoma
Lubrano S, Cervantes-Villagrana R, Faraji F, Ramirez S, Sato K, Adame-Garcia S, Officer A, Arang N, Rigiracciolo D, Anguiano Quiroz P, Martini C, Wang Y, Ferguson F, Bacchiocchi A, Halaban R, Coma S, Holmen S, Pachter J, Aplin A, Gutkind J. FAK inhibition combined with the RAF-MEK clamp avutometinib overcomes resistance to targeted and immune therapies in BRAF V600E melanoma. Cancer Cell 2025, 43: 428-445.e6. PMID: 40020669, PMCID: PMC11903146, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2025.02.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBRAF V600E melanomaFocal adhesion kinaseV600E melanomaFAK inhibitorActivated focal adhesion kinaseFocal adhesion kinase inhibitionRaf-MEKActivation of focal adhesion signalingFocal adhesion kinase inhibitorResistance to BRAFiSyngeneic mouse modelMAPK pathway inhibitionFocal adhesion signalingPro-apoptotic activityMelanoma patientsAdhesion signalingImmune therapyBRAF mutationsBRAFiTranscriptome analysisMelanomaMouse modelPathway inhibitionBRAFMelanoma cellsPhase Ib Study of Immunocytokine Simlukafusp Alfa (FAP-IL2v) Combined with Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Advanced and/or Metastatic Melanoma
Munoz-Couselo E, Rivas A, Sandhu S, Long G, Sanmamed M, Spreafico A, Buchbinder E, Sznol M, Prenen H, Fedenko A, Milhem M, Fernandez A, Grob J, Demidov L, Robert C, Habigt C, Evers S, Sleiman N, Dejardin D, Ardeshir C, Martin N, Boetsch C, Charo J, Teichgräber V, Kraxner A, Keshelava N, Bechter O. Phase Ib Study of Immunocytokine Simlukafusp Alfa (FAP-IL2v) Combined with Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Advanced and/or Metastatic Melanoma. Cancer Research Communications 2025, 5: 358-368. PMID: 39895413, PMCID: PMC11848832, DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0601.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhase Ib studyMetastatic melanomaFibroblast activation proteinSafety profileLack of clinical activityPhase Ib clinical studySafety run-in cohortAntitumor activityProgression-free survivalCD8 T cellsInfusion-related reactionsElevated alanine aminotransferaseQ3W dosingOpen-labelPembrolizumabT cellsAdverse eventsClinical studiesIb studyClinical activityExtension cohortMelanomaPatientsAlanine aminotransferaseInduction phase
2024
Circulating tumor-reactive KIR+CD8+ T cells suppress anti-tumor immunity in patients with melanoma
Lu B, Lucca L, Lewis W, Wang J, Nogueira C, Heer S, Rayon-Estrada V, Axisa P, Reeves S, Buitrago-Pocasangre N, Pham G, Kojima M, Wei W, Aizenbud L, Bacchiocchi A, Zhang L, Walewski J, Chiang V, Olino K, Clune J, Halaban R, Kluger Y, Coyle A, Kisielow J, Obermair F, Kluger H, Hafler D. Circulating tumor-reactive KIR+CD8+ T cells suppress anti-tumor immunity in patients with melanoma. Nature Immunology 2024, 26: 82-91. PMID: 39609626, DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-02023-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCD8+ T cellsAnti-tumor immunityRegulatory T cellsT cellsSubpopulation of CD8+ T cellsCytotoxic CD8+ T cellsHuman CD8+ T cellsTumor antigen-specific CD8Impaired anti-tumor immunityTumor antigen-specificPoor overall survivalTumor rejectionKIR expressionOverall survivalTumor antigensImmune evasionCellular mediatorsHuman cancersCD8MelanomaTumorTranscriptional programsFunctional heterogeneityImmunityPatientsImmunogenicity and Efficacy of Personalized Adjuvant mRNA Cancer Vaccines.
Berraondo P, Cuesta R, Sanmamed M, Melero I. Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Personalized Adjuvant mRNA Cancer Vaccines. Cancer Discovery 2024, 14: 2021-2024. PMID: 39485256, DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-24-1196.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrimary Treatment of Eyelid Conjunctival Melanoma with Immunotherapy: A Case Report
Weiss M, Perzia B, Sinard J, Tran T, Maeng M. Primary Treatment of Eyelid Conjunctival Melanoma with Immunotherapy: A Case Report. Ophthalmic Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 2024, 41: e12-e15. PMID: 39240220, DOI: 10.1097/iop.0000000000002776.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConjunctival melanomaImmune checkpoint inhibitor regimenCombination of ipilimumabFirst-line combinationImmune checkpoint inhibitorsMonths of treatmentSystemic adverse effectsCutaneous melanoma treatmentHigher recurrence rateCheckpoint inhibitorsMucosal melanomaAdjuvant therapyDisease resolutionRecurrence rateLocal surgeryMelanoma treatmentFrequent metastasisCase reportPrimary treatmentMelanomaClinical approachIpilimumabNivolumabConjunctivalAdverse effectsTrends in Invasive Melanoma Thickness in Norway, 1983-2019.
Rimal R, Robsahm T, Green A, Ghiasvand R, Rueegg C, Bassarova A, Gjersvik P, Weiderpass E, Aalen O, Møller B, Perrier F, Veierød M. Trends in Invasive Melanoma Thickness in Norway, 1983-2019. Acta Dermato Venereologica 2024, 104: adv26110. PMID: 39221835, DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.26110.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term incidence trendsCancer Registry of NorwayIncidence time trendsTumor thicknessCancer RegistryIncidence trendsBirth cohortTime trendsPrevention strategiesMelanoma occurrenceAge groupsMelanoma RegistryT categoryMelanoma thicknessT1 melanomasPathology reportsYounger patientsAnatomical sitesIncreased incidenceMelanomaSex differencesTumorIncidencePatientsMen1102P Immune checkpoint inhibitor rechallenge after treatment with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in unresectable melanoma
Warner A, Smithy J, Los C, Kalvin H, Hasson N, Amaria R, Czapla J, Schollenberger M, furness A, Hassel J, Wermke M, Gallegos J, Lutzky J, Lipson E, Sullivan R, Kluger H, Panageas K, Klobuch S, Haanen J, Shoushtari A. 1102P Immune checkpoint inhibitor rechallenge after treatment with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in unresectable melanoma. Annals Of Oncology 2024, 35: s730-s731. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.08.1170.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSingle-cell RNA sequencing reveals melanoma cell state-dependent heterogeneity of response to MAPK inhibitors
Lim S, Lin Y, Lee J, Pedersen B, Stewart A, Scolyer R, Long G, Yang J, Rizos H. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals melanoma cell state-dependent heterogeneity of response to MAPK inhibitors. EBioMedicine 2024, 107: 105308. PMID: 39216232, PMCID: PMC11402938, DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105308.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMelanoma cellsTranscriptional cell statesTreatment responseSingle-cell RNA sequencingResponse to MAPK inhibitorsPlasticity of melanoma cellsBRAF/MEK inhibitor treatmentImmunotherapy-resistant tumorsMelanoma Institute AustraliaNational Health and Medical Research Council of AustraliaImpact treatment responseMelanoma cell statesPro-inflammatory signalingNational Health and Medical Research CouncilCell statesPro-inflammatory IL6Melanoma tumorsHeterogeneous cancerInhibitor resistanceInhibitor treatmentMelanomaBRAF/MEKRNA sequencingMAPK inhibitorStudy treatment responsesGP100 expression is variable in intensity in melanoma
Mann J, Hasson N, Su D, Adeniran A, Smalley K, Djureinovic D, Jilaveanu L, Schoenfeld D, Kluger H. GP100 expression is variable in intensity in melanoma. Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy 2024, 73: 191. PMID: 39105816, PMCID: PMC11303354, DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03776-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGp100 expressionCutaneous melanomaTreatment of cutaneous melanomaAdvanced cutaneous melanomaT-cell engagersImprove patient selectionMetastatic melanomaUveal melanomaMetastatic samplesPatient selectionClinical trialsMelanomaQuantitative immunofluorescence methodGp100Improve outcomesImmunofluorescence methodTherapeutic intentDrugCellular productsExpressionTebentafuspImmunohistochemistryChemical complementarity of tumor resident, T-cell receptor CDR3s and renalase-1 correlates with increased melanoma survival
Zaman S, Gorelick F, Chrobrutskiy A, Chobrutskiy B, Desir G, Blanck G. Chemical complementarity of tumor resident, T-cell receptor CDR3s and renalase-1 correlates with increased melanoma survival. Oncotarget 2024, 15: 550-561. PMID: 39102218, PMCID: PMC11299663, DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28633.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsT cell receptorOverall survivalT cellsAssociated with improved overall survivalT-cell receptor CDR3sPromote T cell activationImproved overall survivalSurvival of melanomaPancreatic cancer patientsT cell activationT cell receptor recognitionTumor-residentTumor rejectionMelanoma patientsMelanoma growthMelanoma survivalImmune signature genesSurvival associationsCancer patientsMelanomaSignature genesAmino acid sequenceSurvivalPatientsExpression levelsOvercoming melanin interference in melanocyte photodynamic therapy with a pyrene-derived two-photon photosensitizer
Juvekar V, Cao Y, Koh C, Lee D, Kwak S, Kim S, Park T, Park S, Liu Z, Kim H. Overcoming melanin interference in melanocyte photodynamic therapy with a pyrene-derived two-photon photosensitizer. Chemical Engineering Journal 2024, 493: 152796. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.152796.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPhotodynamic therapyPhotodynamic therapy efficacyPlasma membrane of melanoma cellsMelanoma cellsInhibition of tumor growthReactive oxygen speciesConventional photodynamic therapyTails of miceTreatment of skin diseasesTumor modelTreat melanomaTumor growthMelanin contentMulticellular tumor spheroidsSkin cancerMelanomaVisible light irradiationPDT efficacySkin diseasesMelanin interferenceVisible light excitationBroad absorption spectraChlorin e6ROS generation efficiencyTP-PDTCauses of death and patterns of metastatic disease at the end of life for patients with advanced melanoma in the immunotherapy era
Lee D, McNamara M, Yang A, Yaskolko M, Kluger H, Tran T, Olino K, Clune J, Sznol M, Ishizuka J. Causes of death and patterns of metastatic disease at the end of life for patients with advanced melanoma in the immunotherapy era. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 2024, 37: 847-853. PMID: 39073002, PMCID: PMC11809125, DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13188.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSite of metastasisPattern of metastatic diseaseMelanoma mortalityRetrospective observational cohort studyCause of cancer mortalityDistant lymph nodesObservational cohort studyDiagnosis to deathImmunotherapy eraAdvanced melanomaMetastatic diagnosisMetastatic diseaseMetastatic melanomaImmunotherapy treatmentRespiratory failureCause of deathMedian timeLymph nodesTherapeutic advancesCohort studyMelanomaImmunotherapyMechanism of deathPatientsEnd of lifePrognostic and therapeutic insights into MIF, DDT, and CD74 in melanoma
Valdez C, Sánchez-Zuno G, Osmani L, Ibrahim W, Galan A, Bacchiocchi A, Halaban R, Kulkarni R, Kang I, Bucala R, Tran T. Prognostic and therapeutic insights into MIF, DDT, and CD74 in melanoma. Oncotarget 2024, 15: 507-520. PMID: 39028303, PMCID: PMC11259151, DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28615.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntigens, Differentiation, B-LymphocyteBiomarkers, TumorFemaleHistocompatibility Antigens Class IIHumansImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsIntramolecular OxidoreductasesMacrophage Migration-Inhibitory FactorsMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedMutationPrognosisRetrospective StudiesSkin NeoplasmsConceptsMacrophage migration inhibitory factorImmune checkpoint inhibitionD-dopachrome tautomeraseExpression of macrophage migration inhibitory factorDrivers of tumor progressionInflammatory cell markersPatient tumor samplesPatient survival outcomesMigration inhibitory factorStatistically significant differenceCheckpoint inhibitionImmune therapyPrognostic valueSurvival outcomesResistant melanomaGene expressionImproved survivalRetrospective studyInflammatory markersTumor progressionCell markersTumor samplesClinical evidenceMelanomaBulk RNA sequencingSpatially Informed Gene Signatures for Response to Immunotherapy in Melanoma.
Aung T, Warrell J, Martinez-Morilla S, Gavrielatou N, Vathiotis I, Yaghoobi V, Kluger H, Gerstein M, Rimm D. Spatially Informed Gene Signatures for Response to Immunotherapy in Melanoma. Clinical Cancer Research 2024, 30: 3520-3532. PMID: 38837895, PMCID: PMC11326985, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3932.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGene signatureResistance to immunotherapyResponse to immunotherapyPrediction of treatment outcomeResistant to treatmentAccurate prediction of treatment outcomePredictive of responseImmunotherapy outcomesMelanoma patientsMelanoma specimensValidation cohortPatient stratificationDiscovery cohortTreatment outcomesImmunotherapyMelanomaTumorPatientsCohortS100BOutcomesGene expression dataGenesCD68+macrophagesExpression dataVascular mimicry as a facilitator of melanoma brain metastasis
Provance O, Oria V, Tran T, Caulfield J, Zito C, Aguirre-Ducler A, Schalper K, Kluger H, Jilaveanu L. Vascular mimicry as a facilitator of melanoma brain metastasis. Cellular And Molecular Life Sciences 2024, 81: 188. PMID: 38635031, PMCID: PMC11026261, DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05217-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVascular mimicryBrain metastasesMouse model of metastatic melanomaIncreased risk of metastasisAssociated with tumor volumeMelanoma brain metastasesRisk of metastasisSurvival of miceFuture treatment regimensCell line modelsTumor suppressor pathwayMetastatic melanomaTumor volumeSolid tumorsTreatment regimensTumor typesPoor prognosisHippo tumor suppressor pathwayIncreased riskMouse modelDownstream targets YAPMelanomaMetastasisSuppressor pathwayTumorThe Impact of Next-generation Sequencing on Interobserver Agreement and Diagnostic Accuracy of Desmoplastic Melanocytic Neoplasms
Chen A, Sharma N, Patel P, Olivares S, Bahrami A, Barnhill R, Blokx W, Bosenberg M, Busam K, de La Fouchardière A, Duncan L, Elder D, Ko J, Landman G, Lazar A, Lezcano C, Lowe L, Maher N, Massi D, Messina J, Mihic-Probst D, Parker D, Redpath M, Scolyer R, Shea C, Spatz A, Tron V, Xu X, Yeh I, Yun S, Zembowicz A, Gerami P. The Impact of Next-generation Sequencing on Interobserver Agreement and Diagnostic Accuracy of Desmoplastic Melanocytic Neoplasms. The American Journal Of Surgical Pathology 2024, 48: 708-718. PMID: 38590014, DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000002226.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDesmoplastic melanomaMelanocytic neoplasmsNext-generation sequencingInterobserver agreementDiagnostic accuracyHematoxylin and eosin sectionsImpact of next-generation sequencingDiagnostic scenariosMetastatic diseaseDesmoplastic tumorsMelanocytic tumorsMelanoma casesMelanoma geneticsFleiss' multirater kappaAccurate diagnosisNeoplasmsMelanomaAncillary toolDegree of improvementMultirater kappaDiagnosisGenomic findingsTumorGenome sequencing resultsPathologistsSkipped sentinel lymph node basin in a patient with forearm cutaneous melanoma: A case report
Noel O, Clune J. Skipped sentinel lymph node basin in a patient with forearm cutaneous melanoma: A case report. Oncology Letters 2024, 27: 233. PMID: 38586207, PMCID: PMC10996031, DOI: 10.3892/ol.2024.14366.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLymph nodesMalignant melanomaDrainage to lymph nodesRight supraclavicular lymph nodeSentinel lymph node basinSentinel lymph node biopsyManagement of malignant melanomaLymph node basinSupraclavicular lymph nodesLymph node biopsyRegional lymph nodesLymph node localizationConventional nodal basinsCutaneous lymphoscintigraphyNode basinNode biopsyAxillary dissectionLymphatic mappingNodal basinsCutaneous melanomaCase reportUnique presentationDisease localizationUnique caseMelanomaBRAF Mutated and Morphologically Spitzoid Tumors, a Subgroup of Melanocytic Neoplasms Difficult to Distinguish From True Spitz Neoplasms
Gerami P, Chen A, Sharma N, Patel P, Hagstrom M, Kancherla P, Geraminejad T, Olivares S, Biswas A, Bosenberg M, Busam K, de La Fouchardière A, Duncan L, Elder D, Ko J, Landman G, Lazar A, Lowe L, Massi D, Mihic-Probst D, Parker D, Scolyer R, Shea C, Zembowicz A, Yun S, Blokx W, Barnhill R. BRAF Mutated and Morphologically Spitzoid Tumors, a Subgroup of Melanocytic Neoplasms Difficult to Distinguish From True Spitz Neoplasms. The American Journal Of Surgical Pathology 2024, 48: 538-545. PMID: 38525831, DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000002194.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply