Abnormalities of chromosomes 3 and 8 in posterior uveal melanoma correlate with prognosis.
Posterior uveal melanomas have nonrandom alterations affecting chromosomes 3, 6, and 8. Loss of chromosome 3 in uveal melanoma has been shown to act as a predictor of disease-free and overall survival. To confirm the significance of chromosome 3 loss and to extend the observations to include those of the associated alterations of chromosome 8, we have conducted a cytogenetic analysis on a series of 42 tumours from patients with primary uveal melanoma who were followed up for a median of 31 months (range = 8-96 months). Abnormalities of chromosomes 3 and 8 were the commonest changes and were confirmed in 10 tumours using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Monosomy of chromosome 3 was found in 21 (50%) of the tumours, and 23 (54%) tumours had additional copies of 8q. Alterations of chromosomes 3 and 8 were found occurring together in 19 (45%) of the tumours and were significantly associated with a ciliary body component (P < 0.0001). Prognostic indicators and changes of chromosomes 3 and 8 were analysed for correlation with patient survival. Of the chosen parameters, only ciliary body involvement (P = 0.003), monosomy of chromosome 3 (P = 0.0007), and additional copies of 8q (P = 0.003) correlated with reduced survival. Evaluation of the dosage effect of additional copies of chromosome arm 8q showed a significant association with reduced survival (P = 0.0001), which was also predictive of a decreased disease-free interval (P = 0.01). Thus, the cytogenetic analysis of uveal melanoma may provide a valuable predictor of prognosis.
Sisley
K
K
Institute for Cancer Studies, Sheffield University, Medical School, England.
Rennie
I G
IG
Parsons
M A
MA
Jacques
R
R
Hammond
D W
DW
Bell
S M
SM
Potter
A M
AM
Rees
R C
RC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002893:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality