Fig. 2

Nrf2 plays a dual function in melanoma, depending on the cell stage. The standard expression of Nrf2 has a protective role against oxidative stress and cell damage, maintaining normal melanocytes. Nrf2 depletion and ROS accumulation make cells susceptible to transformation and cancer initiation. Evidence exists to show that reduced Nrf2 expression is associated with the incidence of melanoma. On the contrary, aberrant overexpression or constitutive activation of Nrf2 leads to invasive, metastatic, and radio/chemoresistant melanomas with poor prognosis. Indeed, after cell transformation has occurred, Nrf2 can become a pathway for cancer progression