Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Dermatology and Venerology

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are collectively known as non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). NMSC is the most common cancer in humans. MicrorRNAs (miRNA, miR) are short single-stranded post-transcriptional regulatory RNAs that have been shown to play important roles in cell development, differentiation, migration and stress responses, as well as cancer development. miR-205 has been found to be dysregulated in a wide range of tumors in humans. Aim of Work: This study is to verify if miR-205 3p and 5p are involved in the pathogenesis of NMSC. Materials and methods: 21 patients with BCC and 21 patients with SCC were recruited. 21 healthy subjects, that were age and sex matched with patients, were used as control population. Tissue expressions of miR-205 3p and 5p were evaluated in patients and controls using Real Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Results: Tissue expressions of miR-205 3p and 5p are significantly higher in BCC and SCC compared to controls with a significantly higher expression of miR-205 3p than the 5p arm in both of BCC and SCC. Moreover, the expressions of both arms are significantly higher in SCC compared to BCC. Conclusions: miR-205 3p and 5p seem to be implicated in the pathogenesis of BCC and SCC with the 3p am contributing more to this oncogenic effect. This oncogenic effect could be through miR-205 3p and 5p targeting and inhibiting tumor suppressor proteins in skin cells

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