Expression of Melan-A/MART-1 antigen as a prognostic factor in primary cutaneous melanoma.
In this study we assessed the expression of the Melan-A/MART-1 antigen by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody A103 in 73 primary cutaneous melanomas and its correlation with tumor staging and patient survival. Melan-A/MART-1 was expressed in 90% of primary tumors, with loss of expression increasing with Breslow thickness. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significantly reduced disease-free interval and overall survival rate for patients not expressing this antigen. The poor prognosis of such patients was even worse for those presenting with a primary melanoma and a Breslow thickness of > or = 1 mm. Thus, Melan-A/MART-1 is not only a useful and specific additional marker for the diagnosis of primary cutaneous melanoma, but it may also help refine the prognosis of patients with malignant melanoma.
Department of Dermatology (CHUV/DHURDV), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
M
M
Berset
J P
JP
Cerottini
D
D
Guggisberg
P
P
Romero
F
F
Burri
D
D
Rimoldi
R G
RG
Panizzon
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; C548667:MLANA protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins