Melanoma Genomics and Immunotherapy.

Over the last decade the molecular characterization of melanoma has progressed. Since a majority of melanoma cases arise from repeated intermittent ultra violet radiation (UVR) exposure, the role of UVR has been evaluated extensively. Recent work has identified two mechanisms in which the carcinogenesis of melanoma may result; Ultra violet radiation has been demonstrated to lead to down regulation in immune responses and result in pyrimidine dimerization. Given these links and more significant immunogenic antigen profile of melanoma, as compared to other malignancies, there has been significant therapeutics breakthroughs based on these molecular pathways.