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Neuropilin‐2 gene expression correlates with malignant progression in cutaneous melanoma
Author(s) -
Rossi M.,
Tuck J.,
Kim O.J.,
Panova I.,
Symanowski J.T.,
Mahalingam M.,
Riker A.I.,
Alani R.M.,
Ryu B.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.12801
Subject(s) - melanoma , medicine , oncology , odds ratio , pathology , biomarker , cancer research , lymphangiogenesis , metastasis , cancer , biology , biochemistry
Summary Background It is currently not possible to predict the metastatic potential of early‐stage melanoma lesions by histological examination alone; however, a significant number of thin melanomas will progress over time to advanced disease. Molecular biomarkers that could identify patients with melanoma at high risk at the time of original diagnosis would contribute significantly to improved patient outcomes and increased survival. Neuropilin‐2 ( NRP 2), a cell surface receptor involved in tumour‐associated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, has recently been shown to be expressed in melanoma. Objectives To evaluate the potential value of NRP 2 gene transcript levels as biomarkers for malignant melanoma progression. Methods We measured NRP 2 gene expression in a panel of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue specimens consisting of naevi, primary melanomas and metastatic melanomas using quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction technique. Results NRP 2 levels are clearly segregated among the groups of naevi, primary and metastatic melanoma samples with a statistical trend towards increasing NRP 2 gene expression correlating with disease progression. Logistic regression analysis reveals that the probability of malignant progression increases with elevated levels of NRP 2 (odds ratio of 2·60 with confidence interval 1·29–5·21). Within the group of primary melanomas, there is a positive correlation ( r = 0·823) between NRP 2 expression and Breslow depth. This correlation was validated in an independent sample set of patients with melanoma. Conclusions This preliminary study strongly supports the significance of NRP 2 as a useful biomarker for malignant progression of melanoma, which may be useful for early identification of patients with melanoma at high risk.