Page 80 - SRPSKO DRUŠTVO ISTRAŽIVAČA RAKA

Serbian Association for Cancer Research SDIRSACR

Given the significant roles that both circRNAs and miRNAs play in various biological processes, accurately characterizing
the potential interactions between these two classes of ncRNAs is essential. Such insights enhance our understanding
of disease mechanisms and contribute meaningfully to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of various pathological
conditions. Furthermore, these molecules hold promise as future therapeutic targets or agents, particularly in
cancer therapy. Ultimately, elucidating the complex network of circRNA-miRNA interactions may facilitate innovative
advancements in cancer therapy and customized treatment. In conclusion, investigating circRNA-miRNA interactions
via sophisticated bioinformatics methods is crucial for enhancing our comprehension of cancer biology and utilizing
these findings in clinical applications.

References

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interactions and applications in disease and drug research. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 162, 114672.
2. Leng, X., Zhang, M., Xu, Y., Wang, J., Ding, N., Yu, Y., et al (2024). Non-coding RNAs as therapeutic targets in cancer
and its clinical application. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis, 14(7), 100947.
3. Loganathan, T., Doss C, G. P. (2023). Non-coding RNAs in human health and disease: potential function as biomarkers
and therapeutic targets. Functional & integrative genomics, 23(1), 33.
4. Misir, S., Wu, N., & Yang, B. B. (2022). Specific expression and functions of circular RNAs. Cell Death & Differentiation,
29(3), 481-491.
5. Misir, S., Hepokur, C., Aliyazicioglu, Y.,Enguita, F. J. (2020). Circular RNAs serve as miRNA sponges in breast cancer.
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6. Huang, J., Mao, L., Lei, Q., Guo, A. Y. (2024). Bioinformatics tools and resources for cancer and application. Chinese
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7. Meng, Z., Yuan, B., Yang, S., Fu, X., Zhang, B., Xu, K., et al. (2023). Identification of potential biomarkers and candidate
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Medicine, 102(35), e34929.
8. Gao, Y., Takenaka, K., Xu, S. M., Cheng, Y., Janitz, M. (2025). Recent advances in investigation of circRNA/lncRNA-
miRNA-mRNA networks through RNA sequencing data analysis. Briefings in Functional Genomics, 24, elaf005.

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Proteomic and metabolomics profiling of advanced melanoma patients to predict and monitor the
therapeutic response to immune therapy

Verena Paulitschke 1

1 Deapartment of Dermatology, Medical University Vienna

Keywords: melanoma, biomarker, immune therapy, proteomics

Background: Despite the high clinical need, there are currently no biomarkers in practice that can accurately predict
or monitor the response of patients with metastatic melanoma to anti-PD-1 therapy. Recently, the analysis of non-
invasively obtained finger sweat has been postulated as a promising method for identifying markers for chronic
inflammation or for inferring changes in tumor metabolism.
Materials and Methods: Serum samples were collected before anti-PD1 immune therapy. Finger sweat is always
collected before and after treatment at the first time point of therapy, at 3 weeks (2nd cycle of immune therapy)
and at 3 months after treatment. The relevant clinical data were recorded. The samples obtained were analysed by
liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using an Orbitrap Exploris 480 and timsTOF mass spectrometry. Subsequent
bioinformatics analysis was performed.
Results: In our most recent publication, we created a marker signature with 10 key serum markers (CRP, LYVE1, SAA2,
C1RL, CFHR3, LBP, LDHB, S100A8, S100A9 and SAA1) that could indicate a poor response to anti-PD-1 therapy in
melanoma patients. Here, we wanted to apply a completely new, non-invasive method in which eccrine sweat from
the fingertips is collected using a special paper and metabolites are determined from it. We were able to show that,
for example, markers of tryptophan metabolism such as kynurenine, markers of dysbiosis in the microbiome such as
p-cresol sulphate, and markers of mitochondrial stress are upregulated in the finger sweat of melanoma patients and

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