Leveraging Multi-Omics Approaches and Molecular Diagnostics to Accelerate Drug Discovery in Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, characterized by a high mutation burden and significant metastatic potential. It is currently the leading cause of skin cancer-related deaths worldwide. While it accounts for only ۱% of skin cancers, it is responsible for more than ۸۰% of skin cancer-related death. Despite the success of immunotherapies and targeted therapies in certain patient subsets, the overall survival rate for metastatic melanoma remains low and many patients fail to respond to these treatments or develop resistance, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. To overcome these limitations, multi-omics approaches and molecular diagnostics have emerged as key tools to enhance our understanding of melanoma’s molecular underpinnings and drive drug discovery. This review aims to explore the integration of multi-omics approaches and molecular diagnostics in melanoma research, with a focus on their potential to revolutionize discovery of novel drug targets and improve patient outcomes. The review discusses how these advanced techniques provide critical insights into melanoma's complex biology and therapeutic resistance. Methods: The methodologies discussed include a range of multi-omics techniques such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. These approaches are analyzed in relation to their ability to uncover the molecular drivers of melanoma, discover the genetic and epigenetic landscape of melanoma, identify novel biomarkers, and provide deeper insights into the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, molecular diagnostic tools, including next-generation sequencing, are explored for their role in identifying genetic mutations and prognostic biomarkers. Results: The integration of multi-omics data has provided critical insights into the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms driving melanoma progression and drug resistance. Key findings include the identification of novel mutations in genes such as BRAF, NRAS, and TERT, as well as the discovery of tumor microenvironment interactions that influence treatment resistance. Furthermore, molecular diagnostics help monitor treatment efficacy and identify resistance mechanisms in real time, enabling dynamic adjustments to therapy, which enhances treatment outcomes, leading to more personalized treatment strategies. Conclusions: The combination of multi-omics technologies and molecular diagnostics has the potential to transform the landscape of melanoma treatment. By providing a holistic view of the tumor’s genetic, epigenetic, and proteomic alterations, these approaches can facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, optimize drug development processes, and enhance precision medicine strategies. This integration holds promise for improving patient outcomes, particularly in cases of metastatic or treatment-resistant melanoma.

کلیدواژه ها:

Melanoma ، Multi-omics ، Molecular diagnostics ، Therapeutic target ، Drug discovery