Circulating MicroRNAs: functional biomarkers for melanoma prognosis and treatment

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) hold significant promise as circulating cancer biomarkers and unlike many other molecular markers, they can provide valuable insights that extend beyond tumour biology. The expression of circulating miRNAs may parallel the cellular composition and dynamic activity within...

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Main Authors: Su Yin Lim, Suzanah C. Boyd, Russell J. Diefenbach, Helen Rizos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Molecular Cancer
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02298-7
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author Su Yin Lim
Suzanah C. Boyd
Russell J. Diefenbach
Helen Rizos
author_facet Su Yin Lim
Suzanah C. Boyd
Russell J. Diefenbach
Helen Rizos
author_sort Su Yin Lim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) hold significant promise as circulating cancer biomarkers and unlike many other molecular markers, they can provide valuable insights that extend beyond tumour biology. The expression of circulating miRNAs may parallel the cellular composition and dynamic activity within the tumour microenvironment and reveal systemic immune responses. The functional complexity of miRNAs—where a single miRNA can regulate multiple messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to fine tune fundamental processes, and a single mRNA can be targeted by multiple miRNAs—underscores their broad significance and impact. However, this complexity poses significant challenges for translating miRNA research into clinical practice. In melanoma, specific miRNA signatures have shown notable diagnostic, prognostic and predictive value, with lineage-specific and immune-related miRNAs frequently identified as valuable markers. In this review, we explore the role of circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers in melanoma, and highlight the current status and advances required to translate miRNA research into therapeutic opportunities.
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issn 1476-4598
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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series Molecular Cancer
spelling doaj-art-78f98a038b3a4ecbac2829a03d54850a2025-08-20T02:49:26ZengBMCMolecular Cancer1476-45982025-03-0124111710.1186/s12943-025-02298-7Circulating MicroRNAs: functional biomarkers for melanoma prognosis and treatmentSu Yin Lim0Suzanah C. Boyd1Russell J. Diefenbach2Helen Rizos3Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie UniversityAbstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) hold significant promise as circulating cancer biomarkers and unlike many other molecular markers, they can provide valuable insights that extend beyond tumour biology. The expression of circulating miRNAs may parallel the cellular composition and dynamic activity within the tumour microenvironment and reveal systemic immune responses. The functional complexity of miRNAs—where a single miRNA can regulate multiple messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to fine tune fundamental processes, and a single mRNA can be targeted by multiple miRNAs—underscores their broad significance and impact. However, this complexity poses significant challenges for translating miRNA research into clinical practice. In melanoma, specific miRNA signatures have shown notable diagnostic, prognostic and predictive value, with lineage-specific and immune-related miRNAs frequently identified as valuable markers. In this review, we explore the role of circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers in melanoma, and highlight the current status and advances required to translate miRNA research into therapeutic opportunities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02298-7MicroRNAMelanomaTreatment predictionBiomarkersImmune checkpoint inhibitorsTargeted therapies
spellingShingle Su Yin Lim
Suzanah C. Boyd
Russell J. Diefenbach
Helen Rizos
Circulating MicroRNAs: functional biomarkers for melanoma prognosis and treatment
Molecular Cancer
MicroRNA
Melanoma
Treatment prediction
Biomarkers
Immune checkpoint inhibitors
Targeted therapies
title Circulating MicroRNAs: functional biomarkers for melanoma prognosis and treatment
title_full Circulating MicroRNAs: functional biomarkers for melanoma prognosis and treatment
title_fullStr Circulating MicroRNAs: functional biomarkers for melanoma prognosis and treatment
title_full_unstemmed Circulating MicroRNAs: functional biomarkers for melanoma prognosis and treatment
title_short Circulating MicroRNAs: functional biomarkers for melanoma prognosis and treatment
title_sort circulating micrornas functional biomarkers for melanoma prognosis and treatment
topic MicroRNA
Melanoma
Treatment prediction
Biomarkers
Immune checkpoint inhibitors
Targeted therapies
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02298-7
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AT suzanahcboyd circulatingmicrornasfunctionalbiomarkersformelanomaprognosisandtreatment
AT russelljdiefenbach circulatingmicrornasfunctionalbiomarkersformelanomaprognosisandtreatment
AT helenrizos circulatingmicrornasfunctionalbiomarkersformelanomaprognosisandtreatment