title: Prospective evaluation of the use of antigen-specific immune complexes in predicting the development of recurrent melanoma.
abstract: We previously demonstrated that the antigen-specific immune complexes captured by the monoclonal antibody MAb JSI in a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were associated with recurrent melanoma. To determine the potential use of antigen-specific immune complex analysis in predicting the development of recurrent melanoma, we prospectively analyzed serum obtained from patients with melanoma following surgical treatment. Two hundred fifty-three patients have been followed up for a median of 25 months (range, 17 to 29 months). Seventy-seven patients (30%) have developed recurrent melanoma. Antigen-specific immune complexes correlated with the stage of disease at time of entry into the study. The absence of antigen-specific immune complexes in postoperative serum samples is predictive of a disease-free status. Long-term follow-up will define the false-positive rate of antigen-specific immune complex analysis. Continued refinement of this approach should lead to clinically useful methodology to monitor human melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Clinic, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA School of Medicine.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Foshag
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000556:secondary*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor