From modification to malignancy: Bridging acetylation mechanisms and therapeutic innovations in melanoma (Review)

Melanoma, a highly malignant form of skin cancer, poses significant challenges in oncology due to its aggressive nature and resistance to conventional therapies. Epigenetic modifications, especially acetylation, have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression that influence the pathogenesis and progression of melanoma. Acetylation is a novel post‑translational modification that involves the addition of an acetyl group to lysine residues both in histone and in non‑histone proteins. In the context of melanoma, acetylation has been shown to occupy a pivotal role in regulating cellular proliferation, autophagy, apoptosis and metastasis, as well as drug resistance. The identification of acetylation‑associated biomarkers and therapeutic targets in melanoma is currently an active area of research. The present review aims to elucidate the roles of acetylation modifications in melanoma, and to explore the potential of targeting these modifications for novel therapeutic interventions, with a unique perspective on the acetylation networks mediating therapy resistance.