Is it possible to treat melanoma by intercepting the CXCR4/CXCL12 pathway?

Abstract

Melanoma is a particularly aggressive type of skin cancer that can spread to distant organs, resulting in poor patient outcomes. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) interacts to the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4). This connection between CXCR4 and its companion ligand CXCL12 is important in melanoma metastasis and progression, encouraging cell proliferation, invasion, and survival via downstream signaling pathways. Furthermore, CXCR4 is implicated in the interaction between melanoma cells and the tumor microenvironment, which promotes malignant cell migration and immune evasion. Given the importance of the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in melanoma, addressing this axis has the potential to prevent metastasis and improve patient outcomes. We present an overview of the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in cancer progression and explain its role in the melanoma microenvironment in this paper. Furthermore, we investigate CXCR4's predictive usefulness as a possible biomarker for monitoring melanoma progression. Finally, we discuss the most recent research and clinical trials on CXCR4 inhibitors, emphasizing their efficacy and limits. We hope to improve the quality of life for melanoma patients by better understanding the role of CXCR4 and investigating novel therapeutic options.

Keywords: CXCL12; CXCR4; Chemokine; Melanoma; Metastasis.