Melanoma chemoprevention

The incidence and mortality of melanoma is steadily increasing and therapies for advanced melanoma lack efficacy. Melanoma has been proposed to originate via a series of stepwise genotypic and phenotypic changes- these stepwise changes create targets for chemoprevention. Investigation of multiple novel agents that block UV radiation, prevent activation of oncogenes and oxidative stress, exploit apoptosis, and boost the immune system suggest promising strategies for melanoma chemoprevention. A better understanding of cancer biomarkers of toxicity and drug efficacy, improved chemoprevention trial design, and heightened public awareness of the benefits of cancer prevention will facilitate efficient identification of useful chemopreventive agents. Because no agent yet emerges as a clear choice for effective melanoma chemoprevention, advising patients to avoid excessive sun exposure remains the mainstay of melanoma prevention for persons at high risk. This review summarizes recent evidence regarding potential melanoma chemopreventive agents and discusses current barriers to providing chemoprevention to patients at high risk of developing melanoma.