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Expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 2 in melanocytic lesions
Author(s) -
Wang Huamin,
Shen Steven S.,
Wang Hua,
Diwan A. Hafeez,
Zhang Wei,
Fuller Gregory N.,
Prieto Victor G.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0560.2003.00120.x
Subject(s) - pathology , melanocytic nevus , immunohistochemistry , medicine , insulin like growth factor binding protein , growth factor , insulin like growth factor , cancer research , melanoma , nevus , receptor
Background: Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) is one of the most critical proteins required for the survival, migration, and growth of melanoma cells. IGF‐binding protein 2 (IGFBP2), which binds and regulates the function of IGF‐1, is upregulated in a dose‐dependent manner in melanoma cells treated with IGF‐1, suggesting a possible role of IGFBP2 in the pathogenesis of melanoma. Methods: Tissue microarrays were constructed using formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded archival tissue blocks from 94 melanocytic lesions: 20 benign nevi, 20 dysplastic nevi, 23 primary melanomas, and 31 metastatic melanomas. IGFBP2 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antibody against the C‐terminus of IGFBP2. The number of cells and labeling intensity were assessed semiquantitatively. Results: Positive IGFBP2 labeling was observed in 5.0% of benign nevi, which was significantly lower than in dysplastic nevi (35.0%), primary melanomas (52.2%), or metastatic melanomas (54.8%) (p < 0.05). Among the IGFBP2‐positive cases, moderate‐to‐strong immunostaining was observed in 64.7% of metastatic melanomas and 33.3% of primary melanomas. But none of the dysplastic nevi had moderate‐to‐strong immunostaining (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study shows that IGFBP2 expression increases from benign and dysplastic nevi to primary and metastatic melanomas and suggests that it may play a role in melanoma progression.