Cell cycle control as a promising target in melanoma

Purpose of review This review highlights recent clinical developments in the therapeutic targeting of cell cycle control in melanoma with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, checkpoint kinases, MDM2, MDM4 and p53 inhibitors. Recent findings The high prevalence of activating genetic aberrations along the p16(INK4A):cyclinD-CDK4/6:RB pathway in melanoma and increasing evidence that alterations in this pathway are linked to melanomagenesis, make targeting the p(16INK4A):cyclinD-CDK4/6: RB pathway in melanoma logical and highly attractive. The presence of elevated CDK4 activity appears to correlate with greater CDK4/6 inhibitor therapeutic activity, whereas the loss of RB1 has been linked to CDK inhibitor resistance. Other novel compounds targeting cell cycle control via reactivating wild-type p53 and checkpoint kinases are also currently under investigation in melanoma. Summary Cell cycle control is a promising target in the management of melanoma with early data reporting therapeutic benefit with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, MDM2, and p53 reactivation compounds. Many of these drugs have entered phase I and II clinical trial development. Preliminary data from these studies are discussed in this review along with future treatment strategies for maximizing treatment outcomes in advanced melanoma.