Noncoding RNA circuitry in melanoma onset, plasticity, and therapeutic response

Melanoma, the cancer of the melanocyte, is the deadliest form of skin cancer with an aggressive nature, propensity to metastasize and tendency to resist therapeutic intervention. Studies have identified that the re-emergence of developmental pathways in melanoma contributes to melanoma onset, plasticity, and therapeutic response. Notably, it is well known that noncoding RNAs play a critical role in the development and stress response of tissues. In this review, we focus on the noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs, and other small RNAs, for their functions in developmental mechanisms and plasticity, which drive onset, progression, therapeutic response and resistance in melanoma. Going forward, elucidation of noncoding RNA-mediated mechanisms may provide insights that accelerate development of novel melanoma therapies.