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Please note that we are a research service provider, not a pharmacy or clinic, so we are unable to see patients and do not offer diagnostic and treatment services for individuals.

Superficial Spreading Melanoma (SSM)

Superficial Spreading Melanoma (SSM) remains the most common type of melanoma. By combining scientific rigor with innovative technologies, Protheragen is advancing the frontiers of SSM research, providing transformative diagnostic and therapeutic development solutions to empower global pharmaceutical companies in drug development.

Overview of Superficial Spreading Melanoma (SSM)

Superficial Spreading Melanoma (SSM) is the most common type of cutaneous melanoma, constituting nearly 70% of all melanoma cases. It undergoes a radial growth phase, which is the spread of melanoma cells into the epidermis as well as the papillary dermis, followed by a vertical growth phase where the tumor invades deeper layers of the skin. SSM lesions, which are mostly seen in fair-skinned people, are known to occur in areas of skin that have been exposed to the sun. It is also noted in people who have previously had UV radiation exposure. This melanoma subtype manifests as flat to slightly raised lesions with irregular and multicolored borders and pigmentation. The SSM survival rate is detection dependent, with thinner melanomas being associated with increased survival.

An area of a superficial spreading melanoma without annotation.

Fig.1 An unannotated region of a superficial spreading melanoma. (Koch E. A., et al., 2023)

Diagnostics Development for Superficial Spreading Melanoma (SSM)

Dermoscopy: Dermoscopy is a form of diagnostic evaluation that is non-invasive and augments the precision of melanoma diagnosis by 20%-30%. It can dermoscopically visualize the sustrata of skin structures and pigmentation patterns. Some of the common dermoscopic features of SSM are asymmetry and atypical pigment network, multiple colors, and radial streaks. For instance, Trindade et al. (2021) reported that asymmetry is the most common criterion feature in SSM, reported in 84.5% of the cases, while an atypical network was noted in 79.3% of the cases.

Imaging Techniques: To facilitate the non-invasive diagnosis of SSM, advanced imaging modalities like reflectance confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography are undergoing evaluation. High-resolution imaging of specific skin lesions provided by these modalities helps with the early identification and accurate assessment of melanoma.

Molecular Diagnostics: Molecular diagnostics can detect some specific genetic mutations (BRAF, NRAS) via molecular tests. These tests assist in the classification and management of SSM. For example, therapeutic response with targeted therapies in patients is improved by the presence of mutations in BRAF.

Therapeutics Development for Superficial Spreading Melanoma (SSM)

Immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint blockers such as anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 have transformed the management of advanced SSM. These therapies improve the efficacy of the immune system in identifying and destroying the melanoma cells. Rauwerdink et al. (2022) studied the effectiveness of immunotherapy and noted no difference between SSM and nodular melanoma. Both groups demonstrated an objective response rate of 46%.
Targeted Therapy
For cases with SSM who have BRAF mutations, BRAF and MEK inhibitors are successful and targeted therapies. These medications are effective for SSM with BRAF mutations. Combination BRAF and MEK therapies have shown statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival in clinical trials.

Table 1. Therapeutics of Superficial Spreading Melanoma (SSM).

Therapeutics	Drug Name	Mechanism	Description	Stage
Immunotherapy	Anti-CTLA-4 (e.g., Ipilimumab)	Blocks CTLA-4, enhancing T-cell activation and proliferation	Used as first-line systemic therapy for advanced SSM.	Approved
Immunotherapy	Anti-PD-1 (e.g., Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab)	Blocks PD-1, preventing T-cell inhibition by tumor cells	Used as first-line systemic therapy for advanced SSM.	Approved
Targeted Therapy	BRAF Inhibitors (e.g., Vemurafenib, Dabrafenib)	Inhibits the mutated BRAF protein, blocking tumor growth signaling	Used for SSM patients with BRAF V600 mutations, as first-line or subsequent therapy.	Approved
Targeted Therapy	MEK Inhibitors (e.g., Trametinib, Cobimetinib)	Inhibits MEK protein, part of the MAPK signaling pathway	Often used in combination with BRAF inhibitors for enhanced efficacy in BRAF-mutated SSM.	Approved
Combination Therapy	BRAF/MEK Inhibitors Combination	Simultaneously inhibits BRAF and MEK proteins	Combination therapy for BRAF-mutated SSM improves progression-free survival compared to monotherapy.	Approved

Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.

Our Services

Protheragen offers a wide range of services for Superficial Spreading Melanoma (SSM) diagnostics and therapeutics development. Our services include advanced dermoscopy, molecular diagnostics, and imaging techniques for accurate diagnosis. We also provide preclinical research services, including the development and evaluation of immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

Diagnostics Development

Therapeutic Development

Disease Models

A375, SK-MEL-28, WM-115 Cell Lines
Arf^−/−::Tyr-Nras^Q61K::K14-Kitl Mice
Patient-Derived Xenografts Models
Genetically Engineered Mouse Models (GEMMs)
Syngeneic Mouse Models

Protheragen's advantage lies in our ability to provide integrated, high-quality services for SSM diagnostics and therapeutics development. Our team of experts brings years of experience and cutting-edge knowledge to every project, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible support. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

References

Koch, Elias AT, et al. "Standardized computer-assisted analysis of PRAME Immunoreactivity in Dysplastic Nevi and superficial spreading melanomas." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24.7 (2023): 6388.
Rauwerdink, Daan Jan Willem, et al. "Systemic therapy in advanced nodular melanoma versus superficial spreading melanoma: a nation-wide study of the Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry." Cancers 14.22 (2022): 5694.
Trindade, Fernanda Marques, Maria Luiza Pires de Freitas, and Flávia Vasques Bittencourt. "Dermoscopic evaluation of superficial spreading melanoma." Anais brasileiros de dermatologia 96 (2021): 139-147.

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.