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Dermatology3 papers

Metastatic spindle cell melanoma

Last edited: 4/10/2026

Overview

Metastatic spindle cell melanoma (MSCM) is a rare and aggressive subtype of melanoma characterized by spindle-shaped cells 1. It is associated with a high propensity for metastasis 1.

Diagnosis

Management

  • PHF8, a histone demethylase, has been identified as a prometastatic gene in melanoma that promotes cell invasion and metastasis by regulating TGFβ signaling 1.
  • Targeting PHF8 may offer a therapeutic avenue for improving metastatic fitness in melanoma 1.
  • Special Populations

    Key Recommendations

  • PHF8 is a prometastatic gene in melanoma that specifically contributes to metastatic potential by promoting invasion and dissemination 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • PHF8 requires its histone demethylase activity to enhance melanoma cell invasion 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • PHF8 orchestrates a molecular program that directly controls the TGFβ signaling pathway, thereby influencing melanoma invasion and metastasis 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
  • References

    1 Moubarak RS, de Pablos-Aragoneses A, Ortiz-Barahona V, Gong Y, Gowen M, Dolgalev I et al.. The histone demethylase PHF8 regulates TGFβ signaling and promotes melanoma metastasis. Science advances 2022. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      The histone demethylase PHF8 regulates TGFβ signaling and promotes melanoma metastasis.Moubarak RS, de Pablos-Aragoneses A, Ortiz-Barahona V, Gong Y, Gowen M, Dolgalev I et al. Science advances (2022)

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