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A potential predictive marker for response to interferon in malignant melanoma
Author(s) -
Wild Peter J.,
Meyer Stefanie,
Landthaler Michael,
Hofstaedter Ferdinand,
Bosserhoff Anja Katrin
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
jddg: journal der deutschen dermatologischen gesellschaft
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1610-0387
pISSN - 1610-0379
DOI - 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2007.06303.x
Subject(s) - melanoma , interferon , cancer research , suppressor , in vivo , metastasis , medicine , dna methylation , tumor suppressor gene , gene , cancer , gene expression , biology , immunology , genetics , carcinogenesis
Summary The methylthioadenosine phosphorylase ( mtap ) gene is localized on chromosome 9p21, a chromosomal region often affected by deletion in several kinds of malignant tumors. Studies on malignant melanoma have revealed loss of MTAP expression in vitro and in vivo ; however, loss of MTAP expression is mainly regulated by promoter hypermethylation. Loss of MTAP was shown to have an effect on tumor invasion and metastasis. In a recent study, MTAP not only had a role as tumor suppressor but was also implicated in lack of therapeutic response of patients with recurrent malignant melanoma. There is evidence that loss of MTAP results in an inhibition of STAT signaling pathways regulated by interferon. This in turn leads to ineffectiveness of interferon therapy. Determination of the MTAP status in the primary tumor could, therefore, potentially lead to a selection of patients who benefit from interferon treatment.