Background:Brain metastases commonly occur in patients with metastatic melanoma and are associated with a poor prognosis. Only a few chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to be potentially active. Resistance to chemotherapy is one of the main limitations to treatment. A key mechanism of resistance is O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). The methylation of its promotor could inhibit the activity of this enzyme; consequently, it is very important to evaluate the methylation status of all available specimens.Case Report:We report the case of a long-surviving patient in whom combination treatment with an alkylating agent inhibiting MGMT, such as temozolomide, was useful in clinical control of the disease.
The Role of O6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase in a Long-Surviving Metastatic Melanoma
GATTI, ALESSANDRO;DI MEO, NICOLA;MALAGOLI, Maria;BONIN, Serena;TREVISAN, GIUSTO
2014-01-01
Abstract
Background:Brain metastases commonly occur in patients with metastatic melanoma and are associated with a poor prognosis. Only a few chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to be potentially active. Resistance to chemotherapy is one of the main limitations to treatment. A key mechanism of resistance is O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). The methylation of its promotor could inhibit the activity of this enzyme; consequently, it is very important to evaluate the methylation status of all available specimens.Case Report:We report the case of a long-surviving patient in whom combination treatment with an alkylating agent inhibiting MGMT, such as temozolomide, was useful in clinical control of the disease.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
