Recent discoveries in the genetics of melanoma and their therapeutic implications

The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma, tumors arising from melanocytes, has increased markedly over the past few years in many countries. Although early melanoma is curable through surgical excision, the prognosis of advanced melanoma is very poor, this tumor being resistant to current therapies. Thus there is a need for new therapies to improve the treatment of advanced melanoma. This review provides an overview of recent discoveries in the genetics of melanoma which could offer new therapeutic opportunities.