Dear Colleagues,

For many decades, the main view of molecular functioning of the cells stated that proteins would represent the key regulators of the genomes and their dysfunctions would be the first cause of pathologies, including cancer. This protein-centered view was too simplistic to explain the tumor’s complexity. About 80% of our genome is dynamically and pervasively transcribed, mostly as non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). NcRNAs (e.g., miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs) significantly contribute to the complex molecular signaling needed to regulate structures and functions in different cells and developmental contexts. Accordingly, their dysregulations participate to the onset and progression of many neoplastic phenotypes. The discovery of the central role of ncRNAs in the physiopathology of the cell has initiated a shift in the paradigms of cancer biology and has profoundly influenced our understanding of tumor genetics. Moreover, evidence has shown that ncRNAs can be secreted by cancer cells into biological fluids, spreading oncogenic signals to other cells. This would suggest that cancers may exploit RNA-based, hormone-like mechanisms to advantageously mold their extracellular environment. An impressive number of studies have shown the strong relationship between cancer and miRNA alterations; however, many other ncRNA species remain orphans of functions in most tumors. Moreover, ncRNA analyses have not yet deepened for less common cancers, including uveal melanoma. Although rare, uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults, and about 50% of patients die from metastasis. Surprisingly, UM molecular bases are still to be fully explored, and the data reported on ncRNA role in UM onset and progression are actually scarce.

This Special Issue of Cancers will encompass new research articles and reviews on the involvement of cellular and extracellular ncRNAs in UM biology and/or their potential applications in diagnostics and therapy.

Prof. Dr. Marco Ragusa
Guest Editor

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• uveal melanoma
• miRNAs
• long noncoding RNAs
• circRNAs
• diagnosis
• therapy