Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and less chemotherapy-responsive human cancers, representing a major public health issue worldwide. The early diagnosis still represents the best approach in order to reduce mortality, especially in advanced stages. Preclinical evidence, collected through several in vitro and in vivo models, has been accumulating about the pathophysiological involvement of β-adrenoceptors in melanoma progression. This involvement has been paralleled by the evidence that drugs blocking β-adrenoceptors (β-blockers) may have a relevant role in the treatment of melanoma and in the prevention of its progression. β-blockers are a class of drugs extensively used in clinical practice, not limited to cardiovascular therapeutics. Evidence collected through retrospective and prospective observational studies suggests that treatment with β-blockers, mainly propranolol, is able to delay melanoma progression. Although conclusive evidence is still lacking, current knowledge proposes β-blockers as an opportunity for antitumor treatment in melanoma. Clinical trials are needed in order to prove their claimed efficacy.

Graphical Abstract

中文翻译：

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β受体阻滞剂在黑色素瘤中的作用。

黑色素瘤是最积极，对化疗反应较少的人类癌症之一，代表了全球主要的公共卫生问题。早期诊断仍然是降低死亡率的最佳方法，尤其是在晚期阶段。通过几种体外和体内模型收集的临床前证据已经积累了关于β-肾上腺素能受体在黑色素瘤进展中的病理生理影响的证据。与此相关的证据还表明，阻断β-肾上腺素受体（β-受体阻滞剂）的药物可能在黑色素瘤的治疗和预防其进展中具有相关作用。β受体阻滞剂是临床上广泛使用的一类药物，不仅限于心血管疗法。通过回顾性和前瞻性观察研究收集的证据表明，以β-受体阻滞剂（主要是普萘洛尔）进行的治疗能够延缓黑色素瘤的进展。尽管仍缺乏确凿的证据，但目前的知识提出将β受体阻滞剂作为黑色素瘤抗肿瘤治疗的机会。需要临床试验以证明其声称的功效。

图形概要