Exosome-derived miRNAs in the pre-metastatic niche formation in melanoma brain metastases

Exosomes released from the primary tumour into circulation have been documented to promote pre-metastatic niche formation. We have identified a miRNA in exosomes from melanoma brain metastases that can play a vital role in this process. Knock-down (KD) of this miRNA results in an inhibition of brain metastatic growth. We are in the process of identifying potential drugs inhibiting the expression level of this miRNA, and aim to bring one of these to the clinics.

Human MBM cells where a specific miRNA is knocked down, develops significantly fewer brain metastasis in nude mouse brains, compared to the control MBM cells (upper panel). The lower panel shows quantification of tumour burden from bioluminescent images, and animal survival (** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001)

Photo:

Frits Thorsen