TREATMENT OF MELANOMA IN HORSES

Abstract

Equine melanoma is a common neoplasm of melanocytes, especially in gray horses. It exhibits variable biological behavior, making treatment dependent on location, number of lesions, and tumor progression. Surgical excision is considered the primary therapeutic approach, being most effective in early and localized lesions, and is associated with a better prognosis when performed early, since longer intervals between diagnosis and intervention favor tumor progression and increased malignancy (PIMENTA; PRADA; COTOVIO, 2023; PIMENTA et al., 2024). In specific presentations, such as intraocular neoplasms or lesions in complex anatomical regions, treatment may range from monitoring to more invasive procedures, such as local excision or enucleation, depending on the extent and functional impairment (LABELLE et al., 2024; BULNES et al., 2024). Beyond conventional approaches, recent studies highlight the importance of molecular markers, such as E-cadherin, in understanding tumor behavior and prognosis, as well as the potential of targeted therapies, such as the pan-RAF inhibitor LY3009120, which has demonstrated promising antitumor effects in experimental models of equine melanoma, although it still requires clinical validation (PIMENTA et al., 2023; GAO et al., 2024). Therefore, the management of equine melanoma should be individualized, emphasizing early intervention and continuous monitoring, coupled with the advancement of new therapeutic strategies that can improve disease control.