MicroRNA-146a – the predictor of the development of metastases of choroidal melanoma

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNA, miR) - regulate gene expression, take part in the regulation of cell life, proliferation and apoptosis. There are not enough publications on the study of microRNA in the plasma of patients with choroidal melanoma (CM) and the presented data are contradictory. An increase in the level of microRNA-146a in blood plasma was noted in patients with cancer of the lung, esophagus and breast. In the present study, we used microRNA-146a in the blood plasma of patients with CM. Purpose. To determine the possibility and reliability of detecting microRNA-146a in the blood plasma of patients with CM, taking into account the localization of the tumor and its size. Material and methods. The blood plasma of 84 patients was studied mean age 63.4±1.2 years. A control group of 28 people who did not have tumor or chronic autoimmune diseases mean age 63.25±1.43 years. The expression level of miRNA-146a was determined by quantitative PCR. Results. An increase in the level of microRNA-146a was shown, which correlates with the localization and thickness of the tumor. The results were confirmed by statistical analysis. Conclusion. MicroRNA-146a, which increases in plasma levels in patients with CM as its size increases, can be used as a biomarker of aggressive tumor course in terms of hematogenous metastasis. Key words: choroidal melanoma, microRNA-146a, biomarkers.