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Quantitative detection of melanoma‐associated antigens by multimarker real‐time RT‐PCR for molecular staging: results of a 5 years study
Author(s) -
Gkalpakiotis Spyridon,
Arenberger Petr,
Kremen Jaromir,
Arenbergerova Monika
Publication year - 2010
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/j.1600-0625.2010.01123.x
Subject(s) - real time polymerase chain reaction , melanoma , antigen , medicine , oncology , computational biology , cancer research , immunology , biology , gene , genetics
Please cite this paper as: Quantitative detection of melanoma‐associated antigens by multimarker real‐time RT‐PCR for molecular staging: results of a 5 years study. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19 : 994–999. Abstract Introduction: Monitoring of circulating melanoma cells in the peripheral blood is a promising method for identifying a subgroup of patients with minimal residual disease. Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic impact of melanoma‐associated antigens by multimarker real‐time RT‐PCR for disease‐specific survival time. Methods: Five melanoma markers: Melan‐A, gp100, MAGE‐3, MIA and tyrosinase were detected by a quantitative multimarker real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR (RT‐PCR). We included 65 patients with resected melanoma in stage II–III. Peripheral blood samples were examined every 3 months for 2 years. The expression of melanoma markers in 2925 RT‐PCR assays was correlated with clinical staging results in total of 5 years. Results: Twenty‐seven patients relapsed during the study period and 26 of them revealed positive markers. MAGE‐3 was the most sensitive progression marker in single occurrence or in combination with MIA and gp100. The time distribution of metastases during the screened period was as follows: progression in the first year was observed in 40.7% patients, second year in 25.9%, third year in 18.6%, fourth and fifth year in 7.4% equally. Conclusions: Statistically significant tumor marker elevation during the first 2 years after the surgical treatment correlates with a worse prognosis of patients. In contrast, the group showing negative real‐time RT‐PCR results in 24 months serial blood testing was associated with prolonged 5‐year disease‐specific survival. Therefore, quantitative detection of melanoma‐specific molecular markers in the presented setting represents a useful tool for selecting patients in a higher risk of disease recurrence.