RESEARCHER PROFILES
ZE’EV RONAI, Ph.D. Scientific Director, Sanford-Burnham at La Jolla, Deputy Director of the Sanford-Burnham NCI-designated Cancer Center, and Professor in the Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program
MELANOMA
One person dies every hour from melanoma in the United States
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TARGETS WITHOUT BORDERS
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, in part due to its notorious metastatic capacity and resistance to therapy. Research over the past decade has greatly advanced our understanding of melanoma biology and has led to the development of specific inhibitors capable of combating this devastating disease. The success of these inhibitors, which primarily target the oncogene B-Raf, has demonstrated how cancer research can lead to novel and effective therapies. However, only 50 percent of melanoma tumors carry the B-Raf oncogene. And, despite the proven efficacy of B-Raf inhibitors, most tumors
undergo a metabolic reconfiguration and re-emerge as therapy-resistant tumors within months of their disappearance. Fortunately, basic research in this area has maintained a rapid pace and has identified other molecules that can be targeted in a combination-therapy approach to overcoming drug resistance. Dr. Ronai’s laboratory is contributing to this effort by focusing on understanding the pathways that melanoma tumors use to rewire themselves. His work has led to new targets for melanoma therapy, including PDK1, ATF2, and Siah.