The Potential of the Purinergic System as a Therapeutic Target of Natural Compounds in Cutaneous Melanoma

Abstract

Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive and difficult-to-treat disease that has rapidly grown worldwide. The pharmacotherapy available in so many cases results in low response and undesirable side effects, which impair the life quality of those affected. Several studies have been shown that the purinergic system is involved in cancer context, such as in cutaneous melanoma. With technological advances, several bioactive compounds from nature are studied and presented as promising adjuvant therapies against cancer, as phenolic compounds and related action by purinergic system modulations. Thus, phenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid, resveratrol, tannic acid, as well as vitamin D may be promising substances in a therapeutic perspective to treat cutaneous melanoma via purinergic system pathway. More research needs to be done to open up new horizons in the treatment of melanoma by the purinergic signaling.