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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Potential of Circulating Tumor Cells in Leptomeningeal Disease Research
Published on: March 29, 2024
Circulating melanoma exosomes as diagnostic and prognosis biomarkers
Estibaliz Alegre1, Leyre Zubiri2, Jose Luis Perez-Gracia2
1Laboratory of Biochemistry, University Clinic of Navarra, Spain.
Background:
Malignant melanoma is an aggressive cancer with an increasing incidence. Exosomes are actively secreted microvesicles, whose characteristics reflect those of the cell they are originated in. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the presence of the melanoma biomarkers MIA, S100B and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TYRP2) in exosomes and their potential clinical utility.
Methods:
Serum samples were obtained from stage IV melanoma patients, melanoma-free patients and healthy controls. Exosomes were precipitated and TYRP2, MIA and S100B concentrations were quantified in serum, exosomes, and exosome-free serum.
Results:
Both MIA and S100B were detected in exosomes and correlated significantly with serum concentrations (S100B: r=0.968; MIA: r=0.799; p<0.001). MIA and S100B concentrations in exosomes were significantly higher in melanoma patients than in healthy controls and disease-free patients. However, TYRP2 concentrations in exosomes did not differ between these three groups. ROC curves analysis rendered AUCs for MIA of 0.883 (p<0.01) and of 0.840 for S100B (p<0.01). Patients with exosome MIA concentration higher than 2.5 μg/L showed shorter median survival related to those with lower level (4 versus 11 months; p<0.05).
Conclusions:
MIA and S100B can be detected in exosomes from melanoma patients and their quantification presents diagnostic and prognostic utility.
Insights
Melanoma biomarkers MIA and S100B are found in exosomes, offering diagnostic and prognostic value. Exosomal MIA and S100B levels can distinguish melanoma patients from healthy individuals and predict survival outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Malignant melanoma is an aggressive cancer with rising incidence.
- Exosomes are microvesicles reflecting their cell of origin.
- Investigating melanoma biomarkers in exosomes is crucial for clinical utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and evaluate melanoma biomarkers MIA, S100B, and TYRP2 in exosomes.
- To assess the clinical utility of these exosomal biomarkers for melanoma diagnosis and prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from stage IV melanoma patients, melanoma-free patients, and healthy controls were analyzed.
- Exosomes were isolated, and concentrations of MIA, S100B, and TYRP2 were quantified in serum and exosomes.
- Statistical analyses, including ROC curves, were performed to evaluate diagnostic and prognostic potential.
Main Results:
- MIA and S100B were detected in exosomes and significantly correlated with serum concentrations.
- Exosomal MIA and S100B levels were significantly higher in melanoma patients compared to controls.
- Exosomal MIA levels predicted shorter survival in melanoma patients.
Conclusions:
- MIA and S100B are detectable in exosomes from melanoma patients.
- Quantification of exosomal MIA and S100B demonstrates diagnostic utility.
- Exosomal MIA and S100B show prognostic value in melanoma patients.
