From Breslow to BRAF and immunotherapy: evolving concepts in melanoma pathogenesis and disease progression and their implications for changing management over the last 50 years

Robert V Rawson; Richard A Scolyer

doi:10.1016/j.humpath.2019.09.017

From Breslow to BRAF and immunotherapy: evolving concepts in melanoma pathogenesis and disease progression and their implications for changing management over the last 50 years

Hum Pathol. 2020 Jan:95:149-160. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2019.09.017. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Authors

Robert V Rawson¹, Richard A Scolyer²

Affiliations

¹ Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, North Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 2020, NSW, Australia.
² Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, North Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; New South Wales Health Pathology, Camperdown 2050, NSW, Australia; Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 2020, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: richard.scolyer@melanoma.org.au.

PMID: 31704364
DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2019.09.017

Abstract

Since it was first recognized as a disease entity more than two centuries ago, advanced melanoma has, until recently, followed a very aggressive and almost universally fatal clinical course. However, over the past 50 years crucial ground breaking research has greatly enhanced our understanding of the etiology, risk factors, genomic pathogenesis, immunological interactions, prognostic features and management of melanoma. It is this combined body of work which has culminated in the exciting improvements in patient outcomes for those with advanced melanoma over the last ten years. In this the 50th anniversary of Human Pathology, we highlight the key developments in melanoma over this period.

Keywords: Classification; Diagnosis; Etiology; Histopathology; Melanoma; Pathology; Prognosis; Treatment.

Publication types

Historical Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / history
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
Biomarkers, Tumor* / antagonists & inhibitors
Biomarkers, Tumor* / genetics
Biomarkers, Tumor* / history
Dermatology* / history
Dermatology* / trends
Diffusion of Innovation
Disease Progression
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
History, 20th Century
History, 21st Century
Humans
Melanoma* / drug therapy
Melanoma* / genetics
Melanoma* / history
Melanoma* / pathology
Molecular Targeted Therapy / history
Molecular Targeted Therapy / trends
Mutation*
Pathology, Molecular / history
Pathology, Molecular / trends
Phenotype
Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / antagonists & inhibitors
Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / genetics
Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf* / history
Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Skin Neoplasms* / genetics
Skin Neoplasms* / history
Skin Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
Biomarkers, Tumor
BRAF protein, human
Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf