Is miRNA Regulation the Key to Controlling Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Evolution?

Abstract

Non melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is one of the most common types of skin cancer. It has a number of subtypes, which include basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules, capable of regulating gene expression at a post transcriptional level. They play a pivotal role in a variety of physiologic cellular functions and pathologies, including malignant diseases. The development of miRNAs represents an important study field, which has been extensively exploited in melanoma for almost a decade with promising results, therefore we consider it a stepstone for further research projects also in non-melanoma skin cancers. The aim of our study was to explore the current literature in order to present the role of the different miRNAs in some of the most frequent types of NMSC pertaining to oncogenesis, evolution and therapy. The most relevant and accurate available data from the literature were evaluated. Our study concluded that there are almost 100 miRNAs which can be upregulated or downregulated and can play a role in oncogenesis. They can be easily identified in circulation, are stable and they can be important diagnosis/prognosis and therapy monitoring markers.

MicroRNA dysregulations in Merkel cell carcinoma: Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications

“…Liquid biopsies are particularly clinically‐relevant noninvasive and easily repeatable; liquid biopsy‐based miRNAs can also be efficiently and repeatedly quantified 49 . These characteristics make such biomarkers ideal for cancer diagnosis/prognosis 79 . Despite encouraging data, a potential diagnostic/prognostic role in MCC has been attributed to just a few miRNAs (Table 1).…”

“…49 These characteristics make such biomarkers ideal for cancer diagnosis/prognosis. 79 Despite encouraging data, a potential diagnostic/prognostic role in MCC has been attributed to just a few miRNAs (Table 1). Even less common miRNAs have been identified through independent studies, thus underling the need for additional research.…”

MicroRNA Signatures Associated with Basal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes

“…To our knowledge, this study has investigated and validated miR expression differences on the largest number of control skin specimens and BCC tumors representing the different subtypes. Although most of the miRs presented here have not been previously reported in other work investigating miRs in BCC ( Heffelfinger et al, 2012 ; Kashyap et al, 2022 ; Liu and Li, 2022 ; Renwick et al, 2013 ; Sonkoly et al, 2012 ; Tamas et al, 2021 ), most prior studies were limited by a small number of samples and/or did not differentiate by BCC subtype or include multiple subtypes. We did detect many of the previously reported miRs by sequencing but chose to pursue other miRs that demonstrated a greater magnitude of differential expression or statistical significance.…”

“…Several miRs may serve as diagnostic biomarkers to distinguish nevi and melanomas ( Torres et al, 2020 ). Prior reports have suggested miRs could offer a similar utility in the diagnosis of BCC ( Tamas et al, 2021 ), but the few studies profiling miRs in BCC subtypes are limited by small sample sizes and the lack of secondary validation studies.…”

MicroRNAs Differentially Expressed in Actinic Keratosis and Healthy Skin Scrapings

“…MiR-19 and -126 seem to be early-stage specific markers of AK, while miR-193b is modulated throughout the malignant evolution of AK to cSCC [ 21 ]. MiR-146a is a modulator of inflammatory immune responses, and it has been reported to play a role in the development of both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma [ 22 ].…”