Expression of tyrosinase, MIA and MART-1 in sentinel lymph nodes of patients with malignant melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Regional lymph node status is an important predictor of survival in patients with malignant melanoma. Mapping of sentinel lymph nodes using sensitive molecular techniques has recently been introduced. Malignant melanoma is heterogeneous in terms of its biological, immunological and metastatic properties, and melanoma cells exhibit a polymorphous expression of tumour markers. Thus, assays that include multiple markers appear to be more sensitive than single-marker assays.


OBJECTIVE
To characterize the molecular profiles of melanoma cells in sentinel lymph nodes employing the mRNA expression of tyrosinase, MIA and MART-1 as markers.


METHODS
Samples of sentinel lymph nodes from 17 melanoma patients and 18 control nodes from non-melanoma patients were assayed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, using specific primers for each marker.


RESULTS
We found that both tyrosinase and MIA expression were sensitive indicators of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes that were negative on routine histopathological examination, and that the finding of micrometastases expressing MART-1 in sentinel lymph nodes was negatively correlated with overall survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Characterization of the molecular profiles of melanoma cells constitutes a valid means of detecting metastatic melanoma cells in sentinel lymph nodes, and of predicting the survival of melanoma patients.
Hochberg
M
M
Departments of Dermatology, Oncology and General Surgery, Hadassah Medical Center, The Hebrew University Medical School, PO Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
Lotem
M
M
Gimon
Z
Z
Shiloni
E
E
Enk
C D
CD
D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D015996:Survival Rate
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; C090059:MIA protein, human; C548667:MLANA protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase