Abstract 3054: MicroRNA expression profile in cutaneous melanoma: miR-17-92 cluster is a progression and prognostic marker

Abstract

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNA) represent a novel class of RNAs that play important roles in cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and angiogenesis through negative regulation of protein-coding genes. Deregulation of miRNAs has been detected in various types of human malignancies. Some miRNAs are implicated in diagnosis, prognosis, treatment response and pathogenesis. However, aberrant miRNA expression and its pathologic significance in human melanoma have not been well documented. Here, we report on the miRNA expression profile of human cutaneous melanoma as well as melanoma cell lines. Of 650 miRNAs examined, at least 28 miRNAs were significantly deregulated in melanoma compared to normal skin and primary melanocytes, with the most common aberrantly expressed miRNAs being miR-17-92 cluster, miR-21, miR-146a/b. miR-148a/b, miR-126, miR-606, and miR-655. Notably, miRNA expression signatures could stratify patients into 2 groups (e.g., good and poor prognosis). Further analysis revealed that elevated levels of the miR17-92 cluster are associated with tumor progression and shorter overall survival. Our results suggest that miRNAs may be a useful new biomarker for and be a therapeutic target in cutaneous melanoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3054.