Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and progressive skin cancers. It develops from normal pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes, so it is important to know the mechanism behind such transformations. The study of metastasis mechanisms is crucial for a better understanding the biology of neoplastic cells. Metastasis of melanoma, or any type of cancer, is a multi-stage process in which the neoplastic cells leave the primary tumour, travel through the blood and/or lymphatic vessels, settle in distant organs and create secondary tumours. MicroRNA (miRNA) can participate in several steps of the metastatic process. This review presents the role of miRNA molecules in the development and progression as well as the immune response to melanoma.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, causing a large majority of deaths but accounting for only ~1% of all skin cancer cases. The worldwide incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing, causing a serious socio-economic problem. Melanoma is diagnosed mainly in young and middle-aged people, which distinguishes it from other solid tumors detected mainly in mature people. The early detection of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) remains a priority and it is a key factor limiting mortality. Doctors and scientists around the world want to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment, and are constantly looking for new, promising opportunities, including the use of microRNAs (miRNAs), to fight melanoma cancer. This article reviews miRNA as a potential biomarker and diagnostics tool as a therapeutic drugs in CMM treatment. We also present a review of the current clinical trials being carried out worldwide, in which miRNAs are a target for melanoma treatment.
Opioid receptors belong to the group of Gi and Go coupled receptors, inhibiting the activity of the neuron. Opioid receptors regulate reward and aversion. The opioid system contributes to self and species survival by promoting reward elicited by natural stimuli (such as food, sex and social interaction), regulating mood states and facilitating efficient coping with pain and stress. It is suggested that OPRM1 polymorphism is associated with alcohol consumption especially increased in the case of G alleles subjects than A-alleles homozygotes. In several studies, OPRM1 methylation was suspected to be predictive factor of opioid dependence in pain treatment. The relationship of postoperative or preoperative pain with methylation of some CpG sites in the OPRM1 promoter has also been demonstrated. It is known that OPRM1 SNPs provide changes in the structure of the MOR receptor, so by confirming the pharmacogenetic effects of OPRM1 polymorphisms and using these results to guide therapeutic decisions, patients can be prescribed treatment options with the best efficacy and greatest tolerance. Pharmacogenomics of OPRM1 can improve pain management by predicting individual response to pain medications before treatment and facilitate the development of new and more effective pain medications for post-operative pain.
Introduction: Addictive substances act on a number of neurotransmitter systems, and the end result of this action is the activation of the reward system in the brain. The cellular and neuronal mechanisms that underlie addiction have long been searched for. One of such neurotransmitters is dopamine, a catecholamine synthesized in neurons located mainly in the midbrain. Material and method: The available literature was reviewed on the Pubmed platform and from other sources. The analysis included original studies, reviews. The aim of the study was to review the literature on the relationship between the DRD2 gene and the occurrence of substance addiction. Discussion: This work presents several currently discussed biological mechanisms, especially at the molecular and genetic level, involved in the process of addiction to various psychoactive substances. They discovered the brain structures that are most at risk, as well as other neurotransmitter systems and receptor proteins through which they can exert their pathological effects. It has also been established that exposure to psychoactive substances causes significant changes in expression in over 100 genes (including genes for dopaminergic, serotonergic and signaling pathways). The DRD2 receptor (present, among others, in the nucleus accumbens) plays an important role in the reward system, in the transmission of information. The weakening of this conductivity is a significant risk factor for the onset of clinical features that are associated with reward system deficiency syndrome. The expression of the D2 receptor gene may take up to 2 isoforms: short D2S and long D2L. Conclusions: Further research at the molecular level may result in the modification of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in terms of their personalization.
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