Darko Katalinic
University of Zagreb, Croatia
Title: Molecularly targeted therapy for metastatic melanoma
Biography
Biography: Darko Katalinic
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. Fortunately, the future for this form of tumour appears to be bright with the development of new, exciting compounds, both in the arena of targeted therapy and bio/immunotherapy. Moreover, new progress in molecular and cancer biology has expanded our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cancer development. Recognition of molecular mutations that drive oncogenesis in melanoma cells has led to the development of promising drugs that selectively target and inhibit tumour mutations and, in turn, provide improved response rates with decreased side-effects and general toxicity. These agents are now the focus of well-designed, randomized trials, the results of which are awaited with huge interest. Understanding cell proliferation and growth, oncogenesis, survival and migration pathways has provided both new targets and insights in melanoma treatment. As such, this remarkable level of complexity makes successful treatment of melanoma metastases all the more challenging.