Abstract
The treatment of melanoma remains a challenge, despite novel approaches recently becoming available for disseminated tumors. RNA targeting is being intensively studied in various types of disease. The aim of the present study was to explore whether the in vivo use of a microRNA (miR)-204-5p inhibitor affected melanoma progression, and whether its metastasis affects target organ remodeling. CD45RO+, CD3+, CD8+, forkhead box P3+, smooth muscle α-actin+ cells in the lungs of B16 melanoma-bearing mice were evaluated using immunohistochemistry following miR-204-5p inhibitor transfection. Next, CD45RO expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as well as the apoptosis of these cells, were measured by flow cytometry. The results revealed that the number of CD45RO+ cells was decreased in the lungs of B16 melanoma-bearing mice and CD45RO+ PBMCs following the use of an miR-204-5p inhibitor, which was associated with increased levels of PBMC apoptosis. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggested that targeting miR-204-5p in melanoma metastasis target organs could be used to develop novel approaches for the treatment of disseminated forms of the disease.