• oleacein
• cutaneous melanoma
• miRNA
• extra virgin olive oil
• polyphenol
• anticancer activity
• chemoprevention
• gene expression
• oleaceina
• melanoma cutaneo
• olio extravergine di oliva
• polifenolo
• attività antitumorale
• chemio-prevenzione
• espressione genica

Melanoma is an increasing health risk on a global scale which requires urgent attention. In particular, it has been found that melanoma incidence is increasing, especially among young man and women. Consequently, novel preventive/treatment modalities for this disease are needed. Several scientific evidences outlined that the levels of many microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in melanoma. In this context, the ability of polyphenols to regulate the levels of miRNAs in cancer could lead to the development of new preventive strategies/therapies. Mediterranean diet has already demonstrated to prevent many cardiometabolic diseases through the polyphenols contained in extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). One of the most abundant secoiridoid present in EVOO, Oleacein (OA), has demonstrated anticancer activity against several tumors. This thesis aims at determining OA ability to modulate miRNAs levels in melanoma. OA increased the levels of miR-193a-3p, miR-193a-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-16-5p and miR-155-5p, while decreased miR-214-3p levels in melanoma cell line 501-Mel. These modulatory effects may explain the inhibition of melanoma cell growth observed after treatment with OA in a previous study. In fact, it has been proven that through the regulation of this miRNAs, OA is able to influence the expression of many genes involved in apoptosis. Altogether these results provide further insights into the mechanism of action with which OA may contribute to the nutraceutical properties of EVOO and suggest that this secoiridoid may represent a lead molecule for design of new anti-melanoma compounds.