Binding of mistletoe lectins to cutaneous malignant melanoma: implications for prognosis and therapy.
BACKGROUND
Glycoconjugates, as detected by lectin histochemistry, have been implicated in metastasis formation in many neoplasias. However, no data concerning the three mistletoe lectins (MLs) and the spread of malignant melanoma have been published.


METHODS
The binding status of ML-I, -II and -III was histochemically assessed in 100 malignant melanomas and correlated with metastasis in a 10 year follow-up period. Furthermore, the staining intensity of the three MLs, scored from negative (-) to very intense (+ + +), was evaluated.


RESULTS
Kaplan-Meier analsis revealed that very intense binding (+ + +) of ML-I was positively-correlated with metastasis (p=0.044).


CONCLUSIONS
Since ML-I is specific for galactose, high density galactose expression in malignant melanoma is a predictor of poor prognosis.
Thies
A
A
Institute for Anatomy, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany. thies@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Pfüller
U
U
Schachner
M
M
Horny
H P
HP
Molls
I
I
Schumacher
U
U
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000378:metabolism*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011379:Prognosis; D054790:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D037102:Lectins; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010940:Plant Proteins; D054790:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2; D014118:Toxins, Biological; C488862:mistletoe lectin I; C009674:ribosome inactivating protein, Viscum