Assessing Therapeutic Efficacy in the Treatment of Malignant Melanoma

ASSESSING THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY IN THE TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA 1
ASSESSING THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY IN THE TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA
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ASSESSING THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY IN THE TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA 2
Malignant Melanoma Overview
Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and is responsible for
over 70 percent of skin cancer deaths. It is a metastatic skin cancer that has its origin traced in
the epidermis cells. It is characterized by pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes which
becomes cancerous with time through their fast growth and multiplication. Research studies have
it that ultraviolet (UV) radiations are the major risk factor for this disease but the manner in
which UV rays stimulate these cancerous cell transformation has remained a dilemma. Mainly,
melanoma affects men as compared women and can develop in any body part. Also, light-
skinned people have high chances of developing melanoma compared to dark-skinned people. Its
signs and symptoms come into limelight mainly after the age 50 years although it can also appear
at any other age depending on the victim’s skin immunity (Svedman et al, 2016, p.109).
Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment literature review
Research has shown that treatment of Malignant Melanoma depends on the stage of the
disease and its location as well as the victim's overall health status. For instance, Svedman et al
(2016) in their research presents the different stages of Malignant Melanoma treatment. At stage
0, this disease is not yet grown deeper than the top layer (epidermis) and is usually treated
through skin surgery. The approach removes the melanoma and the small normal skin margin
around it. Some of the doctors, however, prefer using an Imiquimod cream or a radiation therapy
instead of the surgery (Dreyer et al, 2016, p.246). At stage 1, the disease is already deep in the
skin and therefore calls for a wide excision during the surgery in order to locate melanoma and
remove it . At this stage, some doctors may prefer sentinel lymph node biopsy especially if the

ASSESSING THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY IN THE TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA 3
disease has spread into lymph nodes. At the third stage, wide excision surgery just like in the
first stage is adopted as the main treatment although some doctors may prefer sentinel lymph
node biopsy, especially if already spread into lymph nodes. At stage III, cancers are usually at
the extent of lymph nodes and surgical treatment, therefore, requires some wide excision to
remove the primary tumor along with the lymph node dissection. Finally, at stage IV is when
melanomas are deemed hard to cure because they have spread widely to lymph nodes at distant
or the other parts of the body. Skin tumors and the enlarged nodes can, therefore, be removed
through surgery or radiation therapy (Esteva et al, 2017, p.115).
Efficacy of Sulforaphane in Treatment of Malignant Melanoma
Sulforaphane is a type of isothiocyanate existing in cruciferous vegetables especially in
broccoli sprouts and fruits (Garbe et al, 2016, p.201). Its effectiveness as a chemoprotective
agent in genetic models, carcinogen-induced cancer models and xenograft models of cancer has
drawn the researcher’s attention in the fight against Malignant Melanoma (Pilgrim et al, 2014,
p.320). Early research has focused on its “blocking ability” of through Phase 2 enzyme induction
and inhibition of the enzymes which are involved in the carcinogen activation process. SFN has
also proved to offer protection against the development of tumors during “post-initiation” stages.
Also, its suppression impacts, including the apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest have made
it an effective approach in the fight against Malignant Melanoma. Sulforaphane has proved to be
efficacy as a chemoprevention agent because of its bioavailability, metabolism, and distribution.
Advantages of Sulforaphane