Researchers identify critical pathway responsible for melanoma drug resistance

One of the major challenges in cancer research and clinical care is understanding the molecular basis for therapeutic resistance as a major cause of long-term treatment failures. In cases of melanoma, the main targeted therapeutic strategy is directed against the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of these patients, resistance to MAPK inhibitor therapies develops within one year of treatment.
One of the major challenges in cancer research and clinical care is understanding the molecular basis for therapeutic resistance as a major cause of long-term treatment failures. In cases of melanoma, the main targeted therapeutic strategy is directed against the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of these patients, resistance to MAPK inhibitor therapies develops within one year of treatment.