1
|
KAŠTELAN SNJEŽANA, PAVIČIĆ ANADIDOVIĆ, PAŠALIĆ DARIA, NIKUŠEVA-MARTIĆ TAMARA, ČANOVIĆ SAMIR, KOVAČEVIĆ PETRA, KONJEVODA SUZANA. Biological characteristics and clinical management of uveal and conjunctival melanoma. Oncol Res 2024; 32:1265-1285. [PMID: 39055896 PMCID: PMC11267116 DOI: 10.32604/or.2024.048437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Uveal and conjunctival melanomas are relatively rare tumors; nonetheless, they pose a significant risk of mortality for a large number of affected individuals. The pathogenesis of melanoma at different sites is very similar, however, the prognosis for patients with ocular melanoma remains unfavourable, primarily due to its distinctive genetic profile and tumor microenvironment. Regardless of considerable advances in understanding the genetic characteristics and biological behaviour, the treatment of uveal and conjunctival melanoma remains a formidable challenge. To enhance the prospect of success, collaborative efforts involving medical professionals and researchers in the fields of ocular biology and oncology are essential. Current data show a lack of well-designed randomized clinical trials and limited benefits in current forms of treatment for these tumors. Despite advancements in the development of effective melanoma therapeutic strategies, all current treatments for uveal melanoma (UM) and conjunctival melanoma (CoM) remain unsatisfactory, resulting in a poor long-term prognosis. Ongoing trials offer hope for positive outcomes in advanced and metastatic tumors. A more comprehensive understanding of the genetic and molecular abnormalities involved in the development and progression of ocular melanomas opens the way for the development of personalized therapy, with various potential therapeutic targets currently under consideration. Increased comprehension of the molecular pathogenesis of UM and CoM and their specificities may aid in the development of new and more effective systemic therapeutic agents, with the hope of improving the prognosis for patients with metastatic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- SNJEŽANA KAŠTELAN
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
| | | | - DARIA PAŠALIĆ
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
| | - TAMARA NIKUŠEVA-MARTIĆ
- Department of Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
| | - SAMIR ČANOVIĆ
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, 23000, Croatia
- Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, Zadar, 23000, Croatia
| | - PETRA KOVAČEVIĆ
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, 21000, Croatia
| | - SUZANA KONJEVODA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, 23000, Croatia
- Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, Zadar, 23000, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Naddeo M, Broseghini E, Venturi F, Vaccari S, Corti B, Lambertini M, Ricci C, Fontana B, Durante G, Pariali M, Scotti B, Milani G, Campione E, Ferracin M, Dika E. Association of miR-146a-5p and miR-21-5p with Prognostic Features in Melanomas. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1688. [PMID: 38730639 PMCID: PMC11083009 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is one of the most lethal tumors among skin cancers and its incidence is rising worldwide. Recent data support the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in melanoma carcinogenesis and their potential use as disease biomarkers. METHODS We quantified the expression of miR-146a-5p and miR-21-5p in 170 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples of CM, namely 116 superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), 26 nodular melanoma (NM), and 28 lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). We correlated miRNA expression with specific histopathologic features including Breslow thickness (BT), histological subtype, ulceration and regression status, and mitotic index. RESULTS miR-146a-5p and miR-21-5p were significantly higher in NM compared to SSM and LMM. The positive correlation between miR-146a-5p and miR-21-5p expression and BT was confirmed for both miRNAs in SSM. Considering the ulceration status, we assessed that individual miR-21-5p expression was significantly higher in ulcerated CMs. The increased combined expression of the two miRNAs was strongly associated with ulceration (p = 0.0093) and higher mitotic rate (≥1/mm2) (p = 0.0005). We demonstrated that the combination of two-miRNA expression and prognostic features (BT and ulceration) can better differentiate cutaneous melanoma prognostic groups, considering overall survival and time-to-relapse clinical outcomes. Specifically, miRNA expression can further stratify prognostic groups among patients with BT ≥ 0.8 mm but without ulceration. Our findings provide further insights into the characterization of CM with specific prognostic features. The graphical abstract was created with BioRender.com.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Naddeo
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.N.); (E.B.)
| | - Elisabetta Broseghini
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.N.); (E.B.)
| | - Federico Venturi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Sabina Vaccari
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Barbara Corti
- Division of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Martina Lambertini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Costantino Ricci
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
- Pathology Unit, Ospedale Maggiore, 40133 Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Fontana
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Giorgio Durante
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Milena Pariali
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Biagio Scotti
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Giulia Milani
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Elena Campione
- Dermatologic Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Manuela Ferracin
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (M.N.); (E.B.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Emi Dika
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.V.); (M.L.); (C.R.); (B.F.); (G.D.)
- Oncologic Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (B.S.); (G.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saleh NA, Rode MP, Cisilotto J, Silva AH, Prigol AN, da Luz Efe F, Winter E, Filippin-Monteiro FB, Creczynski-Pasa TB. MicroRNA-Mediated Antiproliferative Effects of M1 Macrophage-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Melanoma Cells. Immunol Invest 2024; 53:70-89. [PMID: 37981469 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2023.2278774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research in tumor treatment has shown promising results using extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from immune cells. EVs derived from M1 macrophages (proinflammatory), known as M1-EVs, have properties that suppress tumor growth, making them a promising treatment tool for immune susceptible tumors such as melanoma. Here, small unaltered M1-EVs (M1-sEVs) were employed in a 3D mouse melanoma model (melanospheres) to evaluate such activity. METHODS Macrophages were polarized and EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation. The EVs obtained were characterized based on size, with measurements performed by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy, and the expression profiles of microRNAs were analyzed by microarray and PCR. Melanospheres were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of M1-sEVs. Pondering a possible future transposition from the animal model to the human, human melanoma cells were transfected with a specific miRNA, and the impact on cell proliferation was evaluated. RESULTS The isolated EVs showed a size distribution between 50-400 nm in diameter, but preeminently in a range of 70-90 nm. M1-sEVs demonstrated a remarkable ability to reduce cell proliferation and viability in the melanospheres, leading to a decrease in their volume. M1-sEVs contained unique miRNAs, including miR-29a-3p, which exhibited significant antitumor activities according to bioinformatics analysis. Validation of the antitumor effects of miR-29a-3p was obtained by a functional evaluation, i.e., by inducing miRNA overexpression in human melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28). CONCLUSION Although further research would be advisable, the study provides evidence supporting the potential of M1-sEVs and their miRNA load as a possible targeted immune therapy for melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Najla Adel Saleh
- Postgraduate Program in Prharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Michele Patrícia Rode
- Postgraduate Program in Prharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Júlia Cisilotto
- Postgraduate Program in Prharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Adny Henrique Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Prharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Anne Natalie Prigol
- Postgraduate Program in Prharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Fernanda da Luz Efe
- Postgraduate Program in Prharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Evelyn Winter
- Department of Agriculture, Biodiversity and Forest, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Curitibanos, Brazil
| | - Fabíola Branco Filippin-Monteiro
- Postgraduate Program in Prharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Tânia Beatriz Creczynski-Pasa
- Postgraduate Program in Prharmacy, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Song B, Wang K, Peng Y, Zhu Y, Cui Z, Chen L, Yu Z, Song B. Combined signature of G protein-coupled receptors and tumor microenvironment provides a prognostic and therapeutic biomarker for skin cutaneous melanoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:18135-18160. [PMID: 38006451 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05486-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been shown to have an important role in tumor development and metastasis, and abnormal expression of GPCRs is significantly associated with poor prognosis of tumor patients. In this study, we analyzed the GPCRs-related gene (GPRGs) and tumor microenvironment (TME) in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) to construct a prognostic model to help SKCM patients obtain accurate clinical treatment strategies. METHODS SKCM expression data and clinical information were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Differential expression analysis, LASSO algorithm, and univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis were used to screen prognosis-related genes (GPR19, GPR146, S1PR2, PTH1R, ADGRE5, CXCR3, GPR143, and OR2I1P) and multiple prognosis-good immune cells; the data set was analyzed according to above results and build up a GPR-TME classifier. The model was further subjected to immune infiltration, functional enrichment, tumor mutational load, immunotherapy prediction, and scRNA-seq data analysis. Finally, cellular experiments were conducted to validate the functionality of the key gene GPR19 in the model. RESULTS The findings indicate that high expression of GPRGs is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with SKCM, highlighting the significant role of GPRGs and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in SKCM development. Notably, the group characterized by low GPR expression and a high TME exhibited the most favorable prognosis and immunotherapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, cellular assays demonstrated that knockdown of GPR19 significantly reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasive capabilities of melanoma cells in A375 and A2058 cell lines. CONCLUSION This study provides novel insights for the prognosis evaluation and treatment of melanoma, along with the identification of a new biomarker, GPR19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binyu Song
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yixuan Peng
- School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yuhan Zhu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Zhiwei Cui
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Zhou Yu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Baoqiang Song
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen Y, Yi X, Sun N, Guo W, Li C. Epigenetics Regulates Antitumor Immunity in Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:868786. [PMID: 35693795 PMCID: PMC9174518 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.868786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most malignant skin cancer, which originates from epidermal melanocytes, with increasing worldwide incidence. The escape of immune surveillance is a hallmark of the tumor, which is manifested by the imbalance between the enhanced immune evasion of tumor cells and the impaired antitumor capacity of infiltrating immune cells. According to this notion, the invigoration of the exhausted immune cells by immune checkpoint blockades has gained encouraging outcomes in eliminating tumor cells and significantly prolonged the survival of patients, particularly in melanoma. Epigenetics is a pivotal non-genomic modulatory paradigm referring to heritable changes in gene expression without altering genome sequence, including DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNAs, and m6A RNA methylation. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated how the dysregulation of epigenetics regulates multiple biological behaviors of tumor cells and contributes to carcinogenesis and tumor progression in melanoma. Nevertheless, the linkage between epigenetics and antitumor immunity, as well as its implication in melanoma immunotherapy, remains elusive. In this review, we first introduce the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic innovations of melanoma. Then, the tumor microenvironment and the functions of different types of infiltrating immune cells are discussed, with an emphasis on their involvement in antitumor immunity in melanoma. Subsequently, we systemically summarize the linkage between epigenetics and antitumor immunity in melanoma, from the perspective of distinct paradigms of epigenetics. Ultimately, the progression of the clinical trials regarding epigenetics-based melanoma immunotherapy is introduced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiuli Yi
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ningyue Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weinan Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|