Inhibition of melanogenesis as an adjuvant strategy in the treatment of melanotic melanomas: selective review and hypothesis.

Melanogenesis generates immunosuppressive and mutagenic environment and alters cellular metabolism. Melanin can protect malignant melanocytes against chemo-, radio-, and photodynamic therapy. Therefore, we propose to inhibit melanogenesis as an adjuvant treatment modality during immuno-, radio-, chemo- and photodynamic therapy, and as a measure of reducing the probability of melanoma progression.