[Molecular Target Therapies for Skin Cancers]

Over the three decades, advances in the fields of cancer genetics and immunology have elucidated mechanisms that cause the growth of cutaneous malignancies. This has contributed to the rational design of molecular target therapies. In this review, the molecular pathways and cancer immunology critical to the development of cutaneous malignancies are discussed. Included is a review of the following novel pharmacologic agents; BRAF inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, anti-CTLA-4 antibody and anti-PD-1 antibodies for melanoma, cetuximab and gefitinib for squamous cell carcinoma, vismodegib for basal cell carcinoma and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, imiquimod for extramammary Paget's disease, imatinib for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and vorinostat and mogamulizumab for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.