TETRAHYDROBIOPTERIN AND RADIORESISTANCE IN MELANOMA: A POTENTIAL TARGET FOR TUMOR SENSITIZATION

Abstract

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and exhibits high therapeutic resistance, including to radiotherapy. This resistance is associated with several adaptive mechanisms, among which is the increased antioxidant capacity of tumor cells. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a cofactor of nitric oxide synthase and plays a central role in regulating redox homeostasis, directly influencing tumor cell survival and response to radiation. This study, through a literature review, evaluated whether inhibition of the BH4 pathway in combination with radiotherapy could sensitize melanoma cells to ionizing radiation. The results indicate that the BH4/NO axis is a promising target to enhance tumor radiosensitivity and improve therapeutic efficacy in melanoma