5-S-cysteinyldopa as diagnostic tumor marker for uveal malignant melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical significance of 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD), a major intermediate in melanin synthesis, as a potential diagnostic tumor marker for uveal malignant melanoma.


METHODS
The levels of 5-S-CD in the serum were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in 16 patients with primary uveal melanoma. The levels of 5-S-CD were also measured in both aqueous and vitreous humor in 10 patients with uveal melanoma. The serum of healthy volunteers and patients with skin diseases other than melanoma, and the intraocular fluids of patients with cataract and vitreoretinal diseases were used as controls.


RESULTS
Serum concentrations of 5-S-CD in patients with uveal melanoma in the absence of extraocular metastases were close to those of controls; however, serum concentrations of 5-S-CD were significantly elevated in patients with extraocular metastases of melanoma. Concentrations of 5-S-CD in the intraocular fluids, especially vitreous humor, were higher in patients with uveal melanoma than in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
5-S-CD in intraocular fluids may serve as a useful biochemical marker for the diagnosis of uveal melanoma. Serum 5-S-CD may contribute to the assessment of the presence and progression of extraocular metastases in patients with uveal melanoma.
Goto
H
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
Usui
M
M
Wakamatsu
K
K
Ito
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000737:chemistry; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000737:chemistry
C092922:5-S-cysteinyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine