Evidence mapPaperPMID 41752154Full record

ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2026

Unraveling the Enigma of Melanoma Brain Metastasis: New Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Directions.

Kayla T O'Toole, Brandon M Roan, Timothy M Hardman, Peyton P Phillips, Evan M VanBrocklin, Gennie L Parkman, Sheri L Holmen

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Kayla T O'TooleDepartment of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7627-695X
Brandon M RoanJerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Lillington, NC 27507, USA.
Timothy M HardmanJerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Lillington, NC 27507, USA.
Peyton P PhillipsJerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Lillington, NC 27507, USA.
Evan M VanBrocklinDepartment of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Gennie L ParkmanDepartment of Zoology, Weber State University, Ogden, UT 84403, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-9432-4353
Sheri L HolmenDepartment of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-6411-6032

Funding

Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) Cancer Genetics, Epigenetics, Models, and Signaling (Cancer GEMS) Training ProgramT32CA265782 · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2025 to 2025
$269k
NCI NIH HHS T32 CA265782
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Melanoma, a highly aggressive and metastatic cancer, poses significant challenges due to its propensity to spread to distant organs, with brain metastasis representing a particularly devastating complication. This review synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence on the molecular, cellular, and microenvironmental mechanisms driving melanoma metastasis, emphasizing mechanisms of blood-brain barrier traversal, tumor-stroma co-option, and brain-specific genomic and transcriptional programs. We summarize advances in therapeutic strategies to combat melanoma brain metastasis including novel small molecules, immunotherapies, and combination approaches tailored for brain metastases. The review also highlights the immunological landscape of the brain, translational models, and multidisciplinary clinical management strategies. Finally, we identify critical research gaps, including the need for brain metastasis-specific clinical trials, AI-driven predictive models, and preventive strategies, to guide future efforts in improving outcomes for patients with melanoma brain metastasis.

Indexed as

Brain NeoplasmsMelanomaAnimalsBlood-Brain BarrierHumansImmunotherapyTumor MicroenvironmentBRAFbrain metastasesbrain microenvironmentimmune checkpoint inhibitorsmelanomaNRASPI3K/AKTpreclinical modelstherapeutic resistance

Identifiers

PMID41752154
PMCPMC12940590

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.