Simultaneous analysis of tyrosinase mRNA and markers of tyrosinase activity in the blood of patients with metastatic melanoma.
Determination of blood tyrosinase mRNA by RT-PCR and markers of tyrosinase activity (L-DOPA/L-tyrosine ratio) by HPLC have been proposed as biological tools for the detection of metastases in melanoma patients. We prospectively evaluated their significance and clinical value in a group of 30 stage III (n = 10) and IV (n = 20) melanoma patients and one with melanosis of Dubreuilh. L-DOPA/L-tyrosine ratio was elevated in 30% of stage III, 41% of stage IV patients (range: 7.5-261.0 x 10(5)) and in melanosis of Dubreuilh (184.8) (reference values: 6-16 X 10(5)). One stage III and four stage IV melanoma patients were positive for tyrosinase mRNA. In stage IV patients, tyrosinase mRNA positivity was associated with disease progression (P<0.01). The presence of tyrosinase mRNA in blood is more related to clinical status than level of melanin precursors, which probably reflects tumor burden.
Le Bricon
T
T
Laboratoire de Biochimie A, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
Stoitchkov
K
K
Letellier
S
S
Guibal
F
F
Spy
J
J
Garnier
J P
JP
Bousquet
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase