Biological and clinical research progress of MITF in melanoma / 肿瘤

Melanoma arises from the melanocyte cell lineage, it is one of the most notoriously aggressive and treatment-resistant human cancers. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) acts as a master regulator of melanocyte's development, function and survival by modulating various differentiation and cell-cycle progression genes. It also plays an oncogenic role in melanoma. MITF targeting genes important in melanoma progression include promoting survival and blocking apoptosis, stimulating proliferation, and inhibiting cell cycle. This review summarized the molecular function of MITF and its related pathways, and hope it will shed light on strategies for improving therapeutic approaches for melanoma. Copyright © 2013 by TUMOR.