Innovative approaches to melanoma treatment: a spotlight on stimuli-responsive biomaterials

Melanoma presents as an increasingly prevalent and intricate skin cancer, characterized by a complex tumor microenvironment that features various mutations and the activation of melanogenesis pathways. Dynamic changes within this microenvironment, including increased ROS levels, acidity, and enzyme expression, specifically upregulation of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase and MMP2, amongst other enzymes, further contribute to its complexity. Despite advancements in melanoma treatment and FDA approval of therapies targeting specific pathways and employing immune checkpoint inhibitors, challenges persist in melanoma treatment, particularly in optimizing drug delivery and navigating the intricate tumor microenvironment. Recent research has increasingly focused on integrating biomaterials into melanoma treatment, yielding promising results. These biomaterials find application in melanoma diagnosis, treatment, and imaging. Studies have sparked interest in uncovering the therapeutic potential of stimuli-responsive biomaterials. pH-responsive systems offer the prospect of targeted drug release in the acidic tumor microenvironment. Meanwhile, light- and temperature-responsive materials offer spatiotemporal control, aiding melanoma death processes such as necroptosis, apoptosis, and necrosis. Biomaterials responsive to ROS and enzymes address the intricacies of melanoma biology, enhancing treatment specificity. Additionally, multiple stimuli-responsive platforms present a holistic approach for heightened therapeutic efficacy. This review navigates the intricate terrain of melanoma treatment, addressing current therapy limitations and envisioning a future where functionalized biomaterials are pivotal in more effective and targeted interventions. We evaluate multifaceted approaches harnessing distinct biological, physical, and chemical stimuli, and their synergistic combinations to enhance drug delivery precision and other mechanisms in melanoma.