microRNA-10b is a prognostic biomarker for melanoma

Critical Considerations for Investigating MicroRNAs during Tumorigenesis: A Case Study in Conceptual and Contextual Nuances of miR-211-5p in Melanoma

MicroRNAs are non-coding RNAs fundamental to metazoan development and disease. Although the aberrant regulation of microRNAs during mammalian tumorigenesis is well established, investigations into the contributions of individual microRNAs are wrought with conflicting observations. The underlying cause of these inconsistencies is often attributed to context-specific functions of microRNAs. We propose that consideration of both context-specific factors, as well as underappreciated fundamental concepts of microRNA biology, will permit a more harmonious interpretation of ostensibly diverging data. We discuss the theory that the biological function of microRNAs is to confer robustness to specific cell states. Through this lens, we then consider the role of miR-211-5p in melanoma progression. Using literature review and meta-analyses, we demonstrate how a deep understating of domain-specific contexts is critical for moving toward a concordant understanding of miR-211-5p and other microRNAs in cancer biology.

The miR-34a-5p-c-MYC-CHK1/CHK2 Axis Counteracts Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties and Enhances Radiosensitivity in Hepatocellular Cancer Through Repression of the DNA Damage Response

Radiotherapy has become an increasingly widespread modality for treating hepatocellular cancer (HCC); however, the development of radioresistance significantly limits its effectiveness and invariably leads to tumor recurrence. Cancer stem cell (CSC) theory offers a potential explanation for tumor relapse and radioresistance, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Herein we investigate the role of miRNA in molecular regulation of stemness and radioresistance in HCC. Two HCC radiation-resistant cell lines (Huh7-RR and SMMC-7721-RR) were established by selecting the radioresistant subpopulation from HCC cells via clonogenic survival assays. MiRNA Sequencing was used to identify potential radiosensitivity involved miRNA in HCC-RR cells. Xenograft tumor mouse model was established for in vivo study. CSC properties were assessed using sphere formation assay and side population (SP) cells analysis. We found that miR-34a-5p was significantly downregulated in HCC-RR cells. Overexpression of miR-34a-5p counteracts CSC properties and enhances radiosensitivity in HCC. Mechanistic investigation revealed that c-MYC is the direct target of miR-34a-5p. Overexpression of miR-34a-5p reversed c-MYC-induced radioresistance. Moreover, we found that the specific molecular mechanism was that c-MYC activated CHK1 and CHK2, which are two key DNA damage checkpoint kinases, and facilitated the DNA damage response to radiation. Repression of the miR-34a-5p-cMYC-CHK1/CHK2 axis contributes to the acquisition of radioresistance in HCC cells. In summary, the miR-34a-5p-c-MYC-CHK1/CHK2 axis counteracts cancer stem cell-like properties and enhances radiosensitivity in hepatocellular cancer through repression of the DNA damage response.

The Role, Significance, and Association of MicroRNA-10a/b in Physiology of Cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate the translation of mRNA and protein, mainly at the posttranscriptional level. Global expression profiling of miRNAs has demonstrated a broad spectrum of aberrations that correlated with several diseases, and miRNA- 10a and miRNA-10b were the first examined miRNAs to be involved in abnormal activities upon dysregulation, including many types of cancers and progressive diseases. It is expected that the same miRNAs behave inconsistently within different types of cancer. This review aims to provide a set of information about our updated understanding of miRNA-10a and miRNA-10b and their clinical significance, molecular targets, current research gaps, and possible future applications of such potent regulators.

Revisiting miRNA Association with Melanoma Recurrence and Metastasis from a Machine Learning Point of View

The diagnostic and prognostic value of miRNAs in cutaneous melanoma (CM) has been broadly studied and supported by advanced bioinformatics tools. From early studies using miRNA arrays with several limitations, to the recent NGS-derived miRNA expression profiles, an accurate diagnostic panel of a comprehensive pre-specified set of miRNAs that could aid timely identification of specific cancer stages is still elusive, mainly because of the heterogeneity of the approaches and the samples. Herein, we summarize the existing studies that report several miRNAs as important diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in CM. Using publicly available NGS data, we analyzed the correlation of specific miRNA expression profiles with the expression signatures of known gene targets. Combining network analytics with machine learning, we developed specific non-linear classification models that could successfully predict CM recurrence and metastasis, based on two newly identified miRNA signatures. Subsequent unbiased analyses and independent test sets (i.e., a dataset not used for training, as a validation cohort) using our prediction models resulted in 73.85% and 82.09% accuracy in predicting CM recurrence and metastasis, respectively. Overall, our approach combines detailed analysis of miRNA profiles with heuristic optimization and machine learning, which facilitates dimensionality reduction and optimization of the prediction models. Our approach provides an improved prediction strategy that could serve as an auxiliary tool towards precision treatment.

MicroRNA Signature in Melanoma: Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Melanoma is the utmost fatal kind of skin neoplasms. Molecular changes occurring during the pathogenic processes of initiation and progression of melanoma are diverse and include activating mutations in BRAF and NRAS genes, hyper-activation of PI3K/AKT pathway, inactivation of p53 and alterations in CDK4/CDKN2A axis. Moreover, several miRNAs have been identified to be implicated in the biology of melanoma through modulation of expression of genes being involved in these pathways. In the current review, we provide a summary of the bulk of information about the role of miRNAs in the pathobiology of melanoma, their possible application as biomarkers and their emerging role as therapeutic targets for this kind of skin cancer.

Long Non-Coding RNA HOXA11-AS Modulates Proliferation, Apoptosis, Metastasis and EMT in Cutaneous Melanoma Cells Partly via miR-152-3p/ITGA9 Axis

Background

Long non-coding RNA homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) was showed to participate in the progression of different kinds of tumors, but the specific role of HOXA11-AS in cutaneous melanoma is not entirely unambiguous.

Methods

The levels of HOXA11-AS, microRNA-152-3p (miR-152-3p) and integrin alpha9 (ITGA9) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation was detected via 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The assessment of cell metastasis was performed by transwell migration and invasion assays. The protein levels were detected through Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was utilized to explore the target relationship among HOXA11-AS, miR-152-3p and ITGA9. The effect of HOXA11-AS on melanoma in vivo was investigated via xenograft experiment.

Results

HOXA11-AS and ITGA9 were up-regulated while miR-152-3p was down-regulated in melanoma. Knockdown of HOXA11-AS refrained cell proliferation, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) but induced apoptosis in melanoma cells. HOXA11-AS targeted miR-152-3p and overexpression of HOXA11-AS mitigated the miR-152-3p-induced effects on melanoma cellular behaviors. ITGA9 was a target of miR-152-3p and miR-152-3p inhibitor relieved the repression on proliferation, metastasis and EMT while elevation on apoptosis caused by si-ITGA9 via elevating ITGA9. HOXA11-AS knockdown restrained ITGA9 expression via up-regulating miR-152-3p. Suppression of HOXA11-AS inhibited melanoma progression in part through increasing miR-152-3p and decreasing ITGA9 expression in vivo.

Conclusion

HOXA11-AS modulated proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and EMT in melanoma cells by regulating miR-152-3p/ITGA9 axis in part. HOXA11-AS could promote melanoma development and be used as a promising biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment for cutaneous melanoma.

Investigation of microRNA-10b values for the discrimination of metastasis due to melanoma

Background:

Melanoma is one of the most invasive cutaneous cancers with characteristics such as rapid progression and distant metastasis. The early diagnosis and staging of melanoma can help better manage the patients. The current study is aimed to assess the values of microRNA-10b (miRNA-10b) in the discrimination of metastatic melanomas.

Materials and Methods:

The current cross-sectional study has been conducted on forty patients diagnosed with melanoma since 2011. Cell culture of melanoma cell lines derived from the cancerous tissue, including WM115, BLM, K1735, WM793, and A375M, was cultured. In order to assess miRNA-10b levels, the real-time polymerase chain reaction was utilized. The absence (n = 20)/presence (n = 20) of metastasis was diagnosed with chest computed tomography or chest X-ray. The values of miRNA-10b for the discrimination of metastasis incidence were assessed.

Results:

The demographic characteristics, including age and gender of the metastatic and nonmetastatic patients, were similar (P > 0.05). The specimen cultures were positive for miRNA-10b in 14 (35%) of the metastatic cases versus 4 (20%) of the nonmetastatic ones (P = 0.004). The quantitative analysis of miR-2b revealed significantly higher levels in metastatic cases (−1.59 ± 1.13 in metastatic vs. −0.16 ± 0.67 in nonmetastatic cases; P = 0.001). The measured area under the curve for the value of miRNA-10b was 0.923 (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval: 0.811–1) with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 94.4%.

Conclusion:

Based on this study, metastatic melanoma was associated with elevated levels of miRNA-10b. This marker had the sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 94.4% for the discrimination of metastatic melanoma from nonmetastatic ones.

Identification of suitable mRNAs and microRNAs as reference genes for expression analyses in skin cells under sex hormone exposure

Quantitative RT-PCR is the most accurate technique for the study of gene expression profiles, however, to ensure the accuracy of qPCR results, suitable reference genes are necessary for data normalization. Hormones influence the development and function of skin cells, regulating the expression of genes and miRNAs. Nevertheless, the stability of reference genes after sex hormone treatment has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we evaluated the expression of a set of candidate mRNAs and microRNsA (miRNA) as reference genes in keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), primary human fibroblasts and a melanoma cell line (LM-36 cells) under testosterone or 17β-estradiol treatment. Two algorithms, namely geNorm, Best-Keeper, and the comparative ΔCt method were used to evaluate the expression stability of the candidate reference genes. The comprehensive ranking showed that TBP and miR-191-5p are the most stable expressed genes across all cultured cells under hormone treatment. Furthermore, we observed that GAPDH, HPRT1 and U6 snRNA expression may be altered by hormone exposure, thus, these genes are not recommended as reference genes. In conclusion, the present study provides, to the best of our knowledge, the first evaluation of expressed mRNA(s) and miRNA(s) as reference genes in three different types of skin cells under the stimulation of sex hormones.

LncRNA MALAT1 Promotes the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Melanoma Cells by Downregulating miR-23a

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between long-chain non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lncRNA MALAT1)/miR-23a-23a and melanoma.

Patients and Methods

Fifty-two cases of corresponding non-tumor normal tissues and 109 cases (including 62 cases of primary melanoma and 47 cases of metastatic melanoma) were collected. Real-time fluorescent PCR quantified lncRNA MALAT1 and miR-23a, and counted the 3-year survival of high/low miR-23 and high/low lncRNA MALAT1 populations. We predicted the binding site according to the sequence information of lncRNA MALAT1 and miR-23a. lncRNA MALAT1 siRNA and miR-23a mimics vectors were constructed and transfected into melanoma cell lines respectively to observe their effects on cells.

Results

Compared with corresponding non-tumor normal tissues, lncRNA MALAT1 in melanoma tissue increased while miR-23a decreased. Compared with primary melanoma, metastatic melanoma was higher and miR-23a was lower. Downregulation of lncRNA MALAT1 caused upregulation of miR-23a, and lncRNA MALAT1 could bind to miR-23a. Downregulating lncRNA MALAT1 or upregulating miR-23a inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis. Rescue experiments revealed that downregulation of miR-23a could offset cell changes caused by downregulation of lncRNA MALAT1.

Conclusion

lncRNA MALAT1 promotes malignant proliferation of melanoma cells through miR-23a.

miRNAs in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is, at present, the most common type of malignancy in the Caucasian population. Its incidence has increased rapidly in the last decade for both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Differential expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported for a variety of different cancers, including skin cancers. Since miRNAs’ discovery as regulators of gene expression, their importance grew in the field of oncology. miRNAs can post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression, tumor initiation, development progression, and aggressiveness. Nowadays, these short regulatory RNAs are perceived as one of the epigenetic markers for the identification of new diagnostic and/or prognostic molecular markers. Moreover, as miRNAs can drive tumorigenesis, they might eventually represent new therapy targets. Some miRNAs are pleiotropic, such as miR-214, which was found deregulated in several other tumors besides skin cancers. Some others are specific for one or more skin cancer types, like miR-21 and miR-221 for cutaneous melanoma and cutaneous squamous carcinoma or miR-155 for melanoma and cutaneous lymphoma. The goal of this review was to summarize some of the main miRNA detection technologies that are used to evaluate miRNAs in tissues and body fluids. Furthermore, their quantification limits, conformity, and robustness are discussed. Aberrant miRNA expression is analyzed for cutaneous melanoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), skin lymphomas, cutaneous lymphoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). In this type of disease, miRNAs are described as potential biomarkers to diagnose early lesion and/or early metastatic disease. In the future, whether in tissue or circulating in body fluids, miRNAs will gain their place in skin cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and future therapeutic targets.

Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma

Introduction: Cutaneous melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, with a dramatic increase in the incidence rate worldwide over the past decade. Early detection has been shown to improve the outcome of melanoma patients. The identification of noninvasive biomarkers able to identify melanoma at an early stage remains an unmet clinical need. Circulating miRNAs (c-miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs, appear as potential ideal candidate biomarkers due to their stability in biological fluids and easy detectability. Moreover, c-miRNAs are reported to be heavily deregulated in cancer patients.Areas covered: This review examines evidence of the specific c-miRNAs or panels of c-miRNAs reported to be useful in discriminating melanoma from benign cutaneous lesions.Expert opinion: Although the interesting reported by published studies, the non-homogeneity of detection and normalization methods prevents the individuation of single c-miRNA or panel of c-miRNAs that are specific for early detection of cutaneous melanoma. In the future, prospective wide and well-designed clinical trials will be needed to validate the diagnostic potential of some of the c-miRNA candidates in clinical practice.

miR-10b promoted melanoma progression through Wnt/β-catenin pathway by repressing ITCH expression

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to contribute to malignant progression in melanoma. However, the roles and mechanisms of several miRNAs in melanoma remain poorly understood. In our study, we showed that miR-10b was significantly up-regulated in melanoma tissues and cell lines, and was associated with overall survival of melanoma patients. Inhibition of miR-10b dramatically suppressed melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, we defined ITCH as a direct and functional downstream target of miR-10b, and showed that there was an inverse correlation between the expression of ITCH and miR-10b on melanoma tissues. Down-regulation of ITCH partially attenuated the inhibitory effects of miR-10b inhibition on melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore，we found that miR-10b exerted its effects on melanoma by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrated that miR-10b was an important epigenetic modifier, promoting melanoma progression through regulating ITCH/Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These results offer a new strategy for epigenetic cancer therapy.

Critical role of miR-10b in B-RafV600E dependent anchorage independent growth and invasion of melanoma cells

Recent high-throughput-sequencing of cancer genomes has identified oncogenic mutations in the B-Raf genetic locus as one of the critical events in melanomagenesis. B-Raf encodes a serine/threonine kinase that regulates the MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) protein kinase cascade. In normal cells, the activity of B-Raf is tightly regulated and is required for cell growth and survival. B-Raf gain-of-function mutations in melanoma frequently lead to unrestrained growth, enhanced cell invasion and increased viability of cancer cells. Although it is clear that the invasive phenotypes of B-Raf mutated melanoma cells are stringently dependent on B-Raf-MEK-ERK activation, the downstream effector targets that are required for oncogenic B-Raf-mediated melanomagenesis are not well defined. miRNAs have regulatory functions towards the expression of genes that are important in carcinogenesis. We observed that miR-10b expression correlates with the presence of the oncogenic B-Raf (B-RafV600E) mutation in melanoma cells. While expression of miR-10b enhances anchorage-independent growth of B-Raf wild-type melanoma cells, miR-10b silencing decreases B-RafV600E cancer cell invasion in vitro. Importantly, the expression of miR-10b is required for B-RafV600E-mediated anchorage independent growth and invasion of melanoma cells in vitro. Taken together our results suggest that miR-10b is an important mediator of oncogenic B-RafV600E activity in melanoma.

Small molecules with big roles in microRNA chemical biology and microRNA-targeted therapeutics

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. Aberrant miRNA expression or function have close links with various human diseases. Therefore, therapeutic treatments with disease-associated miRNAs as targets are emerging. However, the intracellular miRNA networks are extremely complicated and poorly understood, which thus hinder the development of miRNA-targeted therapeutics. Small molecules that are able to regulate endogenous miRNAs hold great potential in both elucidation of miRNA networks and treatment of miRNA-related diseases. Herein, we summarize current strategies for discovery of small molecule modifiers of miRNAs, and we highlight aspects of miRNA cellular biology elucidated by using these small molecules and miRNA-targeted therapeutics realized by these small molecules. We envision that this area will expand dramatically in the near future and will ultimately contribute to a better understanding of miRNA-involved cellular processes and development of therapeutic agents for miRNA-associated diseases.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Prognostic Significance of miRNAs in Melanoma Patients

BACKGROUND

Melanoma is the most aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer. The molecular variability involving microRNA (miRNA) expression plays a significant role in melanogenesis, which leads to poor prognostic effects in melanoma. Since there is a scarcity of comprehensive data on the prognostic role of miRNAs in melanoma patients, this study focuses on filling this knowledge gap through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

The included studies were extracted from several bibliographic databases between 2012 and 2018 using multiple keywords according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for different survival endpoints were compared to the high and low expression levels of miRNAs. The mean effect size of HR values was estimated using a random-effects model of meta-analysis. Inverted funnel plot symmetry was used to assess publication bias. Subgroup analysis was carried out individually for multiple miRNAs across different studies.

RESULTS

A total of 24 studies across eight countries were included, of which 16 studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Twenty-five miRNA expression levels were studied from 2669 melanoma patients to estimate the association between the prognostic role of miRNAs and survival outcome in these 16 studies. The overall pooled effect size (HR) for up- and downregulated miRNAs was 1.043 (95% CI 0.921-1.181; p = 0.506), indicating that the miRNA expression increased the likelihood of death in melanoma patients by 4.3%. Subgroup analysis for miRNA10b, miRNA16 and miRNA21 showed a poor prognosis. The quality assessment revealed that 16 studies were good quality and eight studies were of fair quality.

CONCLUSION

This is one of the first pooled meta-analysis studies on the role of miRNAs in the prognosis of melanoma. Our findings are inconclusive but suggest that miRNA expression could predict poor survival in melanoma patients. Therefore, miRNA expression could act as promising prognostic marker for melanoma.

MiRNA-10b Reciprocally Stimulates Osteogenesis and Inhibits Adipogenesis Partly through the TGF-β/SMAD2 Signaling Pathway

As the population ages, the medical and socioeconomic impact of age-related bone disorders will further increase. An imbalance between osteogenesis and adipogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can lead to various bone and metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying MSC osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation is important for the discovery of novel therapeutic paradigms for these diseases. miR-10b has been widely reported in tumorigenesis, cancer invasion and metastasis. However, the effects and potential mechanisms of miR-10b in the regulation of MSC adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation have not been explored. In this study, we found that the expression of miR-10b was positively correlated with bone formation marker genes ALP, RUNX2 and OPN, and negatively correlated with adipogenic markers CEBPα, PPARγ and AP2 in clinical osteoporosis samples. Overexpression of miR-10b enhanced osteogenic differentiation and inhibited adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) in vitro, whereas downregulation of miR-10b reversed these effects. Furthermore, miR-10b promoted ectopic bone formation in vivo. Target prediction and dual luciferase reporter assays identified SMAD2 as a potential target of miR-10b. Silencing endogenous SMAD2 expression in hADSCs enhanced osteogenesis but repressed adipogenesis. Pathway analysis indicated that miR-10b promotes osteogenic differentiation and bone formation via the TGF-β signaling pathway, while suppressing adipogenic differentiation may be primarily mediated by other pathways. Taken together, our findings imply that miR-10b acts as a critical regulator for balancing osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of hADSCs by repressing SMAD2 and partly through the TGF-β pathway. Our study suggests that miR-10b is a novel target for controlling bone and metabolic diseases.

Potent and selective effect of the mir-10b inhibitor MN-anti-mir10b in human cancer cells of diverse primary disease origin

Since microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) have been implicated in oncogenesis, many of them have been identified as therapeutic targets. Previously we have demonstrated that miRNA-10b acts as a master regulator of the viability of metastatic tumor cells and represents a target for therapeutic intervention. We designed and synthesized an inhibitor of miR-10b, termed MN-anti-miR10b. We showed that treatment with MN-anti-miR10b led to durable regression/elimination of established metastases in murine models of metastatic breast cancer. Since miRNA-10b has been associated with various metastatic and non-metastatic cancers, in the present study, we investigated the effect of MN-anti-miR10b in a panel of over 600 cell lines derived from a variety of human malignancies. We observed an effect on the viability of multiple cell lines within each cancer type and a mostly dichotomous response with cell lines either strongly responsive to MN-anti-miR10b or not at all even at maximum dose tested, suggesting a very high specificity of the effect. Genomic modeling of the drug response showed enrichment of genes associated with the proto-oncogene, c-Jun.

MicroRNAs in cutaneous melanoma: Role as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers

Melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer deaths in the United States, and its incidence has been rising steadily for the past 30 years (Aftab, Dinger, & Perera, 2014). A more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive melanomagenesis is crucial to improve diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of this disease. Given that melanoma survival rates are better when the disease is detected early, precise diagnostic tests for early melanoma detection would be extremely useful. In addition, as survival rates decrease drastically when the disease becomes metastatic, improved tools to more precisely identify high-risk patients as well as to predict treatment response are necessary. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in melanoma biology could be the key. miRNA expression profiling has identified several miRNAs that play a crucial role in melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as miRNAs involved in apoptosis and in the immune response. Here we review the most current data on the miRNAs involved in melanoma as well as their potential roles as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of this disease.

Impact of genomics on the surgical management of melanoma

BACKGROUND

Although surgery for early-stage melanoma offers the best chance of cure, recent advances in molecular medicine have revolutionized the management of late-stage melanoma, leading to significant improvements in clinical outcomes. Research into the genomic drivers of disease and cancer immunology has not only ushered in a new era of targeted and immune-based therapies for patients with metastatic melanoma, but has also provided new tools for monitoring disease recurrence and selecting therapeutic strategies. These advances present new opportunities and challenges to the surgeon treating patients with melanoma.

METHODS

The literature was reviewed to evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic advances in the management of cutaneous melanoma, and to highlight the impact of these advances on surgical decision-making.

RESULTS

Genomic testing is not required in the surgical management of primary melanoma, although it can provide useful information in some situations. Circulating nucleic acids from melanoma cells can be detected in peripheral blood to predict disease recurrence before it manifests clinically, but validation is required before routine clinical application. BRAF mutation testing is the standard of care for all patients with advanced disease to guide therapy, including the planning of surgery in adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings.

CONCLUSION

Surgery remains central for managing primary melanoma, and is an important element of integrated multidisciplinary care in advanced disease, particularly for patients with resectable metastases. The field will undergo further change as clinical trials address the relationships between surgery, radiotherapy and systemic therapy for patients with high-risk, early-stage and advanced melanoma.

MicroRNA-Directed Cancer Therapies: Implications in Melanoma Intervention

Acquired tumor resistance to cancer therapies poses major challenges in the treatment of cancers including melanoma. Among several signaling pathways or factors that affect neocarcinogenesis, cancer progression, and therapies, altered microRNAs (miRNAs) expression has been identified as a crucial player in modulating the key pathways governing these events. While studies in the miRNA field have grown exponentially in the last decade, much remains to be discovered, particularly with respect to their roles in cancer therapies. Since immune and nonimmune signaling cascades prevail in cancers, identification and evaluation of miRNAs, their molecular mechanisms and cellular targets involved in the underlying development of cancers, and acquired therapeutic resistance would help in devising new strategies for the prognosis, treatment, and an early detection of recurrence. Importantly, in-depth validation of miRNA-targeted molecular events could lead to the development of accurate progression-risk biomarkers, improved effectiveness, and improved patient responses to standard therapies. The current review focuses on the roles of miRNAs with recent updates on regulated cell cycle and proliferation, immune responses, oncogenic/epigenetic signaling pathways, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis, with broader attention paid to melanomagenesis and melanoma therapies.

Upregulation of Serum miR-10b Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Patients with Melanoma

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) are believed to play a central role in the initiation and development of cancer. The aim of our study was to determine the clinical significance of serum miR-10b in melanoma. A total of 85 and 30 serum samples were obtained from patients with melanoma and healthy volunteers respectively. qRT-PCR was performed to evaluate the expression level of miR-10b in the melanoma cell lines and the serum samples from the participants. Then the clinical significance of serum miR-10b was further determined. Our results showed that the expression level of miR-10b was significantly increased in metastasis melanoma cells and melanoma patients compared to their respective controls. In addition, serum miR-10b expression level was able to discriminate melanoma patients from healthy volunteers as well differentiate melanoma patients at different clinical stage with high accuracy. Moreover, upregulation of serum miR-10b was positively associated with enhanced lymph node metastasis, advanced clinical stage and a shortened survival rate. Finally serum miR-10b was an independent prognostic factor for melanoma. Collectively, our study suggests that serum miR-10b level is upregulated in melanoma and associated with poor prognosis. It may be used as a potential prognostic biomarker for melanoma.

MicroRNA-10b inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion in cervical cancer cells via direct targeting of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor

MicroRNAs are deregulated in numerous types of human cancers and have crucial roles in the carcinogenesis and progression of human cancers. MicroRNA-10b (miR-10b) has been studied in several types of human cancer. However, the expression and roles of miR-10b in cervical cancer remain unknown. In the present study, the expression, functions and molecular mechanisms of miR-10b were explored in cervical cancer. The present data revealed that miR-10b was significantly downregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. In addition, miR-10b overexpression inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells, while miR-10b under-expression had the opposite effect. Based on bioinformatics analysis, a luciferase reporter assay and western blot analysis, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) was identified as a direct target of miR-10b in cervical cancer. In addition, IGF-1R small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of IGF-1R also inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of the cervical cancer cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that miR-10b serves an important role in cervical cancer progression by targeting IGF-1R.

Several microRNAs could predict survival in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cancer

MicroRNAs as biomarkers play an important role in the tumorigenesis process, including hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). In this paper, we used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to mine hepatitis B-related liver cancer microRNAs that could predict survival in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cancer. There were 93 cases of HBV-HCC and 49 cases of adjacent normal controls included in the study. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of a liver cancer group versus a normal control group of differentially expressed genes identified eight genes with statistical significance. Compared with the normal liver cell line, hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines had high expression of 8 microRNAs, albeit at different levels. A Cox proportional hazards regression model for multivariate analysis showed that four genes had a significant difference. We established classification models to distinguish short survival time and long survival time of liver cancers. Eight genes (mir9-3, mir10b, mir31, mir519c, mir522, mir3660, mir4784, and mir6883) were identified could predict survival in patients with HBV-HCC. There was a significant correlation between mir10b and mir31 and clinical stages (p < 0.05). A random forests model effectively estimated patient survival times.

MicroRNA therapeutics: towards a new era for the management of cancer and other diseases

In just over two decades since the discovery of the first microRNA (miRNA), the field of miRNA biology has expanded considerably. Insights into the roles of miRNAs in development and disease, particularly in cancer, have made miRNAs attractive tools and targets for novel therapeutic approaches. Functional studies have confirmed that miRNA dysregulation is causal in many cases of cancer, with miRNAs acting as tumour suppressors or oncogenes (oncomiRs), and miRNA mimics and molecules targeted at miRNAs (antimiRs) have shown promise in preclinical development. Several miRNA-targeted therapeutics have reached clinical development, including a mimic of the tumour suppressor miRNA miR-34, which reached phase I clinical trials for treating cancer, and antimiRs targeted at miR-122, which reached phase II trials for treating hepatitis. In this article, we describe recent advances in our understanding of miRNAs in cancer and in other diseases and provide an overview of current miRNA therapeutics in the clinic. We also discuss the challenge of identifying the most efficacious therapeutic candidates and provide a perspective on achieving safe and targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics.