Unravelling the Melanoma Maze: Biomarkers, Diagnosis, and Future Perspectives in Skin Cancer Management

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The present chapter gives an overview of the critical role of melanoma biomarkers with regard to the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of melanoma in the context of oncology. Melanoma is a very aggressive type of skin cancer that is gaining growing incidence rates worldwide and hence requires an early diagnosis and effective treatment. The background information provided in the introduction covers almost everything concerning melanoma, its pathophysiology, and more importantly, the dire need for reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis of melanoma, prognostication, and monitoring therapeutic responses. The chapter presents a systematic overview of melanoma biomarkers, classifying them in relation to their utility in different clinical settings. Under genetic mutation biomarkers, it covers BRAF and NRAS, two genes of importance for explaining the molecular mechanisms of melanoma progression. Protein-based biomarkers include S100B and LDH, which are discussed in the context of prognosis, especially at the advanced stages of the disease. Discussion focuses on their incorporation into clinical practice in view of their role in advancing the development of personalized medicine approaches, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies for these diseases. This chapter is closed by a critical review of the emerging biomarkers and future directions in melanoma research, underscoring that new findings may radically alter the landscape of patient outcomes.