Resistance patterns with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in melanoma: new insights.

OBJECTIVE

After years of therapeutic approaches with limited effects in metastatic melanoma, new inhibitors of serine-threonine and tyrosine kinases have demonstrated impressive clinical efficacy and improved survival.

RESULTS

This review explains the molecular background for the development of specific kinase inhibitors and briefly summarizes their clinical impact on advanced melanoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite robust early clinical efficacy, the antiproliferative effect of these kinase inhibitors is limited. The resistance mechanisms are explored currently and will help to identify new targets for melanoma therapy.