Characterisation and validation of Mel38; A multi-tissue microRNA signature of cutaneous melanoma.

Ryan Van Laar,Mitchel Lincoln,Sian Fereday,Aamir Ahmad

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211504

Abstract

BackgroundHistopathologic examination of melanocytic neoplasms can be challenging and subjective, with no specific circulating or tissue-based biomarkers currently available. Recently, a circulating 38-microRNA profile of melanoma (Mel38) was described. In this study, Mel38 expression and its impact on downstream mRNA regulation in solid tissue is examined.MethodsMel38 was applied to archival, clinically-annotated, solid-tissue genomic datasets representing benign naevi, primary and metastatic melanoma. Statistical analysis of the signature in relation to disease status, patient outcome and molecular pathways was performed.ResultsMel38 is able to stratify genomic data from solid tissue biopsies on the basis of disease status and differences in melanoma-specific survival. Experimentally-verified messenger-RNA targets of Mel38 also exhibit prognostic expression patterns and represent key molecular pathways and events in melanoma development and progression.ConclusionThe Mel38 microRNA profile may have diagnostic and prognostic utility in solid tissue as well as being a robust circulating biomarker of melanoma.

Highlights

The worldwide incidence of melanoma skin cancer continues to increase, outpacing the rise of any other malignancy in the white population over the last 30 years [1, 2]
Mel38 was applied to archival, clinically-annotated, solid-tissue genomic datasets representing benign naevi, primary and metastatic melanoma
Details of the genomic datasets download from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and used in this study are shown in Table 1 [13]

Summary

Background

Editor: Aamir Ahmad, University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, UNITED STATES. Histopathologic examination of melanocytic neoplasms can be challenging and subjective, with no specific circulating or tissue-based biomarkers currently available. A circulating 38-microRNA profile of melanoma (Mel38) was described. Mel expression and its impact on downstream mRNA regulation in solid tissue is examined

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Patients & methods

Discussion