Sirtuin deacetylases: a new target for melanoma management.

Melanoma continues to cause more deaths than any other skin cancer, necessitating the development of new avenues of treatment. One promising new opportunity comes in the form of mechanism-based therapeutic targets. We recently reported the overexpression and delocalization of the class III histone deacetylase SIRT1 in melanoma, and demonstrated that its small molecule inhibition via Tenovin-1 decreased cell growth and viability of melanoma cells, possibly by a p53 mediated induction of p21.

The role of SIRT1 in cancer: the saga continues.

This Commentary highlights the article by Di Sante et al, which presents data supporting the status of SIRT1 as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer.

SIRT1 deacetylase is overexpressed in human melanoma and its small molecule inhibition imparts anti-proliferative response via p53 activation.

Melanoma causes more deaths than any other skin cancer, and its incidence in the US continues to rise. Current medical therapies are insufficient to control this deadly neoplasm, necessitating the development of new target-based approaches. The objective of this study was to determine the role and functional significance of the class III histone deacetylase SIRT1 in melanoma.

The circadian control of skin and cutaneous photodamage.

Biologically, light including ultraviolet (UV) radiation is vital for life. However, UV exposure does not come without risk, as it is a major factor in the development of skin cancer. Natural protections against UV damage may have been affected by lifestyle changes over the past century, including changes in our sun exposure due to working environments, and the use of sunscreens.