New Approach to Enhance Treatment for Aggressive Melanoma Unveiled

A groundbreaking study from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute has revealed a promising strategy to improve therapies for the deadliest forms of melanoma. The research focuses on inhibiting a chemical process known as nitrosylation, which appears to help melanoma cells withstand treatment and evade immune responses. The study specifically examines NRAS-mutant melanoma, a subtype accounting for around 25% of all melanoma cases, notorious for its resistance to conventional therapies, including immunotherapy and targeted drugs.

The scientists discovered that blocking nitrosylation sensitizes melanoma cells to MEK inhibitors—drugs that target the MEK-ERK pathway involved in tumor growth. When combined, these inhibitors effectively slowed tumor progression in laboratory and animal model experiments. "Our findings suggest that nitrosylation acts as a survival mechanism for cancer cells, and its inhibition can weaken these defenses, making the cells more vulnerable and boosting the immune system's ability to attack the tumor," explained Sanjay Premi, Ph.D., co-lead author of the study.

Moreover, suppressing nitrosylation induced immunogenic cell death, a process where tumor cells release signals that attract immune cells like CD8-positive T cells and dendritic cells, fostering an immune response against the cancer. Jyoti Srivastava, Ph.D., emphasized that this method not only hampers tumor growth but also enhances the body's natural anti-cancer defenses, potentially offering more durable treatment responses.

The implications of these findings could open new doors for patients with limited effective treatment options, particularly those with NRAS-mutant melanoma. The study advocates for further investigation into nitrosylation inhibitors as part of combination therapies, which may benefit other types of cancers as well.

This innovative research underscores the potential for improving melanoma treatment outcomes by targeting the tumor's survival pathways and harnessing the immune system, paving the way for future therapies that are both effective and long-lasting.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-uncovers-boost-treatment-aggressive-melanoma.html