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Lecithin retinol acyltransferase as a potential prognostic marker for malignant melanoma
Author(s) -
Hassel Jessica C.,
Amann Philipp M.,
Schadendorf Dirk,
Eichmüller Stefan B.,
Nagler Markus,
Bazhin Alexandr V.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.12236
Subject(s) - melanoma , rpe65 , acyltransferase , immunohistochemistry , medicine , cancer research , oncology , pathology , biology , enzyme , retinal , biochemistry , retinal pigment epithelium , ophthalmology
Metabolism inside cells differs between cancer and normal cells. Because disturbance of vitamin A metabolism might be important, we investigated expression of the enzymes lecithin retinol acyltransferase ( LRAT ) and RPE 65 by immunohistochemistry in melanoma metastases and melanocytic nevi. Semiquantitative evaluation of this expression revealed downregulated expression of RPE 65 in malignant melanoma compared with benign melanocytic nevi ( P < 0.001). In contrast, expression of LRAT was not significantly different ( P = 0.339). High LRAT expression in melanoma metastases was inversely correlated with patient survival; Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed earlier melanoma‐related death ( P = 0.003). Expression of LRAT might, therefore, be a prognostic marker of the clinical course of melanoma.