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Molecular prognostic markers in intermediate‐thickness cutaneous malignant melanoma
Author(s) -
Hieken Tina J.,
Ronan Salve G.,
Farolan Miguel,
Shilkaitis Anne L.,
Das Gupta Tapas K.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19990115)85:2<375::aid-cncr15>3.0.co;2-1
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , integrin , pathology , metastasis , lymph node , lymph , lung cancer , cancer , oncology , cancer research , receptor
BACKGROUND The limitations of morphologic criteria alone in determining the prognosis for a patient with a particular intermediate‐thickness primary melanoma have prompted efforts to identify other markers. METHODS In this study, the authors analyzed expression of p53, β1 integrin, and β3 integrin in primary tumors from 111 patients with intermediate‐thickness malignant melanoma. RESULTS Eighty‐nine (80%) had detectable p53 protein, 58 (52%) expressed β1 integrin, and 71 (64%) expressed β3 integrin. Patients with β3 positive melanomas were more likely to die of their disease (32 of 71 patients, 45%) than those with β3 negative tumors (3 of 40 patients, 8%) ( P < 0.0001). The number of involved lymph nodes, Clark's level, β1 integrin expression, thickness, and mitotic rate also had prognostic significance. β3 integrin was associated with subsequent lung metastases and β1 integrin with lymph node involvement. CONCLUSIONS Integrin expression, along with histopathologic criteria, is a prognostic marker for intermediate‐thickness malignant melanoma and may indicate the site of subsequent metastasis. These observations may have clinical utility and suggest areas for future investigation. Cancer 1999;85:375–82. © 1999 American Cancer Society.