The use erythrocyte glutathione as a predictive marker for malignant melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Glutathione (GSH) may provide defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by ultraviolet radiation. Furthermore, some authors have demonstrated a relationship between the GSH of peripheral blood erythrocytes (GSHe) and resistance to chemotherapy.


METHODS
To observe the influence of GSH on the genesis and evolution of Malignant Melanoma (MM), we assessed the concentration of GSH in erythrocytes (GSHe) in MM patients (n = 566) and controls (n = 164) by the method of Beutler (1963).


RESULTS
No differences were found between the two groups (5.94 +/- 1.61 cases vs 6.08 +/- 1.49 mmol/gr Hb, controls; p > 0.05). Fifty seven patients with poor evolution (disease-free survival < 2 years) had higher GSH levels than the remaining patients (6.35 +/- 1.83 vs 5.83 +/- 1.62 mmol/g Hb; p < 0.01). GSHe increased significantly after antineoplastic therapy (4.75 +/- 1.26 vs 7.73 +/- 1.39 mmoVg Hb; p < 0.001), thus indicating a possible role in chemoresistance. 2


CONCLUSIONS
GSHe is not related to the risk of developing MM. GSHe may be related to the evolution of MM, being higher in patients who suffer relapse or metastasis. GSHe increases significantly during cytostatic treatment.
Moral
A
A
Department of Surgery, Hospital Sant Pau, St Antoni Ma Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain.
Lafuente
M J
MJ
Lafuente
A
A
Castel
T
T
Balesta
A M
AM
Trias
M L
ML
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005978:Glutathione