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Beatrice Wang, MD, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and its worldwide incidence has increased dramatically in recent years. Although primary skin melanoma can be readily removed by surgery, tumour cells can spread through the lymphatic system or bloodstream and reach secondary sites, leading to death within 4-6 months in the most aggressive cases. In these cases it is metastatic disease, and not the primary tumour, that is lethal. Since no available treatment is effective in the metastatic phase of the disease, novel therapeutic targets must be identified. Modern molecular biology techniques provide us with the necessary tools to study and exploit such targets in an effort to fill the therapeutic gap that exists. MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression in all cells. Our goal is to elucidate how microRNAs regulate the expression of KISS1, a potent metastasis suppressor gene, in cutaneous melanoma. This information could yield critical insights into the mechanisms of metastasis formation, ultimately leading to the development of effective therapeutic approaches to treat metastatic disease. Our study has the potential for significant implications concerning particularly cutaneous melanoma metastasis in the treatment of patients. © 2009 |
