The pan-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor canertinib promotes apoptosis of malignant melanoma in vitro and displays anti-tumor activity in vivo

► Low doses (1 μM) canertinib induces G1-cell cycle arrest in melanoma cells. ► High doses (10 μM) canertinib induces apoptosis in melanoma cells. ► Canertinib inhibited ErbB1-3 activity. ► Canertinib induces apoptosis through inhibition of the Akt, Erk1/2 and Stat3. ► Canertinib inhibited growth of melanoma xenografts in nude mice.