|
1
|
Levati L, Bassi C, Mastroeni S, Lupini L, Antonini Cappellini GC, Bonmassar L, Alvino E, Caporali S, Lacal PM, Narducci MG, Molineris I, De Galitiis F, Negrini M, Russo G, D’Atri S. Circulating miR-1246 and miR-485-3p as Promising Biomarkers of Clinical Response and Outcome in Melanoma Patients Treated with Targeted Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153706. [PMID: 35954369 PMCID: PMC9367338 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the significant improvements in advanced melanoma therapy, there is still a pressing need for biomarkers that can predict patient response and prognosis, and therefore support rational treatment decisions. Here, we investigated whether circulating miRNAs could be biomarkers of clinical outcomes in patients treated with targeted therapy. Using next-generation sequencing, we profiled plasma miRNAs at baseline and at progression in patients treated with BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) or BRAFi + MEKi. Selected miRNAs associated with response to therapy were subjected to validation by real-time quantitative RT-PCR . Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC), Kaplan–Meier and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed on the validated miR-1246 and miR-485-3p baseline levels. The median baseline levels of miR-1246 and miR-485-3p were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in the group of patients not responding to therapy (NRs) as compared with the group of responding patients (Rs). In Rs, a trend toward an increase in miR-1246 and a decrease in miR-485-3p was observed at progression. Baseline miR-1246 level and the miR-1246/miR-485-3p ratio showed a good ability to discriminate between Rs and NRs. Poorer PFS and OS were observed in patients with unfavorable levels of at least one miRNA. In multivariate analysis, a low level of miR-485-3p and a high miR-1246/miR-485-3p ratio remained independent negative prognostic factors for PFS, while a high miR-1246/miR-485-3p ratio was associated with an increased risk of mortality, although statistical significance was not reached. Evaluation of miR-1246 and miR-485-3p baseline plasma levels might help clinicians to identify melanoma patients most likely to be unresponsive to targeted therapy or at higher risk for short-term PFS and mortality, thus improving their management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauretta Levati
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy; (L.L.); (L.B.); (S.C.); (P.M.L.); (M.G.N.); (G.R.)
| | - Cristian Bassi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.B.); (L.L.); (M.N.)
- LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Simona Mastroeni
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy;
| | - Laura Lupini
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.B.); (L.L.); (M.N.)
| | - Gian Carlo Antonini Cappellini
- Department of Oncology and Dermatological Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy; (G.C.A.C.); (F.D.G.)
| | - Laura Bonmassar
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy; (L.L.); (L.B.); (S.C.); (P.M.L.); (M.G.N.); (G.R.)
| | - Ester Alvino
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Council of Research, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Simona Caporali
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy; (L.L.); (L.B.); (S.C.); (P.M.L.); (M.G.N.); (G.R.)
| | - Pedro Miguel Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy; (L.L.); (L.B.); (S.C.); (P.M.L.); (M.G.N.); (G.R.)
| | - Maria Grazia Narducci
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy; (L.L.); (L.B.); (S.C.); (P.M.L.); (M.G.N.); (G.R.)
| | - Ivan Molineris
- Department of Life Science and System Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Turin, Italy;
| | - Federica De Galitiis
- Department of Oncology and Dermatological Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy; (G.C.A.C.); (F.D.G.)
| | - Massimo Negrini
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.B.); (L.L.); (M.N.)
- LTTA Center, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giandomenico Russo
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy; (L.L.); (L.B.); (S.C.); (P.M.L.); (M.G.N.); (G.R.)
| | - Stefania D’Atri
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy; (L.L.); (L.B.); (S.C.); (P.M.L.); (M.G.N.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Wozniak M, Czyz M. The Functional Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194848. [PMID: 34638331 PMCID: PMC8508152 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer, with increasing incidence worldwide. The molecular events that drive melanoma development and progression have been extensively studied, resulting in significant improvements in diagnostics and therapeutic approaches. However, a high drug resistance to targeted therapies and adverse effects of immunotherapies are still a major challenge in melanoma treatment. Therefore, the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of melanomagenesis and cancer response to treatment is of great importance. Recently, many studies have revealed the close association of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with the development of many cancers, including melanoma. These RNA molecules are able to regulate a plethora of crucial cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, migration, invasion and apoptosis through diverse mechanisms, and even slight dysregulation of their expression may lead to tumorigenesis. lncRNAs are able to bind to protein complexes, DNA and RNAs, affecting their stability, activity, and localization. They can also regulate gene expression in the nucleus. Several functions of lncRNAs are context-dependent. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in melanoma. Their possible role as prognostic markers of melanoma response to treatment and in resistance to therapy is also discussed.
Collapse
|