title: Serum 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) as a marker of melanoma progression.
abstract: We previously reported that serum 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) tended to elevate earlier and reflect melanoma progression better than urinary 5-S-CD. In patients without metastatic melanomas, serum concentration and urinary excretion of 5-S-CD and 6-hydroxy-5-methoxy-indole-2-carboxylic acid (6H5MI2C) were within the upper limits of normal controls. In this report, we presented more precisely the changes in these melanin-related markers and clinical courses of four melanoma patients. Serum and 24-hour urine samples were serially collected and assayed every 1 to 4 months. Three of them developed stage IV malignant melanomas and died of metastatic disease. 6H5MI2C in serum and urine did not reflect the progression of disease. Among the 4 parameters considered, 5-S-CD in serum appeared to be the best biochemical marker for melanoma progression. Serum 5-S-CD over the upper limit of 10 nmol/L was suggested as a serious sign of the progression of melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sapporo Medical College, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horikoshi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D003548:Cysteinyldopa / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D003548:Cysteinyldopa