Biomolecules (Nov 2021)

miRNA as a Modulator of Immunotherapy and Immune Response in Melanoma

  • Mai-Huong Thi Nguyen,
  • Yueh-Hsia Luo,
  • An-Lun Li,
  • Jen-Chieh Tsai,
  • Kun-Lin Wu,
  • Pei-Jung Chung,
  • Nianhan Ma

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11111648
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 11
p. 1648

Abstract

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Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a promising therapy for the treatment of cancers, including melanoma, that improved benefit clinical outcomes. However, a subset of melanoma patients do not respond or acquire resistance to immunotherapy, which limits their clinical applicability. Recent studies have explored the reasons related to the resistance of melanoma to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Of note, miRNAs are the regulators of not only cancer progression but also of the response between cancer cells and immune cells. Investigation of miRNA functions within the tumor microenvironment have suggested that miRNAs could be considered as key partners in immunotherapy. Here, we reviewed the known mechanism by which melanoma induces resistance to immunotherapy and the role of miRNAs in immune responses and the microenvironment.

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