Peroxisome proliferator-activating receptors: a new way to treat melanoma?

Accumulating evidence suggests that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma)-binding ligands, currently used to treat diabetes, could be used to treat melanoma. Dissociation of their effects on apoptosis from pharmacological activity (i.e., PPARgamma activation) provides a molecular basis for exploiting these compounds to develop molecularly targeted anticancer agents. In this issue, Botton and co-workers demonstrate in vitro and in vivo antimelanoma effects of ciglitazone, a synthetic ligand-activating PPARgamma.