MiRNAs as Potential Prognostic Biomarkers for Metastasis in Thin and Thick Primary Cutaneous Melanomas.
Background/Aim: The identification of novel
prognostic biomarkers for melanoma metastasis is essential
to improve patient outcomes. To this aim, we characterized
miRNA expression profiles in relation to metastasis in
melanoma and correlated miRNAs expression with clinicalpathological factors. Materials and Methods: MiR-145-5p,
miR-150-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-203-3p, miR-205-5p and miR211-5p expression levels were analyzed in primary cutaneous
melanomas, including thin and thick melanomas, and in
melanoma metastases by quantitative Real-Time PCR.
Results: A significantly lower miR-205-5p expression was
found in metastases compared to primary melanomas.
Furthermore, a progressive down-regulation of miR-205-5p
expression was observed from loco-regional to distant
metastasis. Significantly lower miR-145-5p and miR-203-3p
expression levels were found in cases with Breslow thickness
>1 mm, high Clark level, ulceration and mitotic rate
≥1/mm2. Conclusion: Our findings point to miR-205-5p as
potential biomarker of distant metastases and to miR-145-5p
and miR-203-3p as markers of aggressiveness in melanoma.