The Role of KIT Mutations in Oral Melanoma and Disease Progression: A Literature Review on Early Detection and Targeted Therapy
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose: Oral melanoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy often diagnosed late, leading to poor clinical outcomes. This review aims to highlight the significance of KIT gene mutations in oral melanoma, emphasizing their role in tumor progression and their potential as actionable targets for precision therapy. Methods: Recent literature on molecular profiling, KIT-related oncogenic pathways and targeted treatment strategies for oral melanoma was examined. Evidence from studies utilizing detection techniques such as tissue biopsy, next-generation sequencing (NGS), RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was analyzed to assess current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Results: KIT mutations were found to contribute to enhanced tumor proliferation, survival, and resistance to conventional therapies. Advanced molecular diagnostic methods provide comprehensive genomic insights, enabling identification of targetable alterations. Targeted therapies including small-molecule inhibitors such as imatinib and sunitinib and emerging combination regimens with immune checkpoint inhibitors shows promising clinical responses in selected patients, although resistance mechanisms limit long term effectiveness. The rarity of oral melanoma continues to restrict large scale clinical trials and robust evidence generation. Conclusion: KIT mutations play a critical role in the biology and clinical behavior of oral melanoma. Incorporating advanced molecular diagnostics enables accurate detection of these mutations and supports the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. Continued research into resistance mechanisms and combination treatment approaches is essential to improve outcomes for patients with this rare malignancy
Institution: Saveetha University
Language: English
Topic: Melanoma and MAPK Pathways
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7163417353