title: MicroRNA-mediated regulation of melanoma.
abstract: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and deadly skin cancers, and, in its advanced stages, accounts for > 80% mortality. The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide; however, beyond surgical removal of the tumour, there is currently no curative therapy available, especially for its advanced stages. This may, in part, be owing to incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the initiation and/or progression of melanoma to metastasis. The molecular mechanisms leading to the development and progression of melanoma are the focus of intense investigation, and many genetic/epigenetic alterations affecting melanoma progression and development have been identified. microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as important causal modulators in the development and progression of melanoma. The understanding of miRNA-mediated regulation of tumours has grown immensely over the last few years, as it has been understood to regulate most biological processes. Here, we review the currently available data on miRNAs associated with melanoma, highlighting those deregulated miRNAs that target important genes and pathways involved in the progression of melanocytes to primary and metastatic melanoma. We also review their potential clinical utility as biomarkers and potential use in targeted therapy.
authors.affiliation: Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, 475 Brannan St Suite 220, San Francisco, CA, 94107, U.S.A.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Majid
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kashani-Sabet
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Dar
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / Q000502:physiology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497234:MITF protein, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53