New test improves melanoma monitoring

July 14, 2015

Highlights

•A seven-miRNA panel (MELmiR-7) detected the presence of melanoma with high sensitivity (93%) and specificity (≥82%).

•In serially collected stage IV specimens, members of the ‘MELmiR-7’ panel confirmed tumour progression in 100% of cases.

•The ‘MELmiR-7’ panel is superior to currently used serological markers for melanoma progression, recurrence, and survival.

Abstract

The overall 5-year survival for melanoma is 91%. However, if distant metastasis occurs (stage IV), cure rates are <15%. Hence, melanoma detection in earlier stages (stages I–III) maximises the chances of patient survival. We measured the expression of a panel of 17 microRNAs (miRNAs) (MELmiR-17) in melanoma tissues (stage III; n = 76 and IV; n = 10) and serum samples (collected from controls with no melanoma, n = 130; and patients with melanoma (stages I/II, n = 86; III, n = 50; and IV, n = 119)) obtained from biobanks in Australia and Germany. In melanoma tissues, members of the ‘MELmiR-17’ panel were found to be predictors of stage, recurrence, and survival. Additionally, in a minimally-invasive blood test, a seven-miRNA panel (MELmiR-7) detected the presence of melanoma (relative to controls) with high sensitivity (93%) and specificity (≥82%) when ≥4 miRNAs were expressed. Moreover, the ‘MELmiR-7’ panel characterised overall survival of melanoma patients better than both serum LDH and S100B (delta log likelihood = 11, p < 0.001). This panel was found to be superior to currently used serological markers for melanoma progression, recurrence, and survival; and would be ideally suited to monitor tumour progression in patients diagnosed with early metastatic disease (stages IIIa–c/IV M1a–b) to detect relapse following surgical or adjuvant treatment.

Sources:

Stark MS, et al. The Prognostic and Predictive Value of Melanoma-related MicroRNAs Using Tissue and Serum: A MicroRNA Expression Analysis. EBioMedicine
http://www.ebiomedicine.com/article/S2352-3964(15)...

QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute media release: http://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/page/News__Events/...