title: ICAM-1 and beta(3) integrin immunoexpression in malignant melanoma cells: can they be used as additional predictors?
abstract: Malignant melanoma usually progresses from the intraepidermal microenvironment through a distinct radial growth phase, in which malignant potential cannot always be accurately evaluated, to invasion of the dermis (vertical growth phase) and metastasis. During these stages malignant cells interact with each other and with the extracellular matrix. This interaction is mediated by cell surface adhesion molecules such as the beta(3) integrin subunit and ICAM-1. Our aim was to investigate whether the expression of these two molecules is associated with the various histopathologic prognosticators commonly evaluated in malignant melanoma. Using a standard three-step immunoperoxidase technique we evaluated the above molecules' expression in a documented series of 66 cutaneous malignant melanomas. Forty-five were superficial spreading melanomas, including 18 in mixed growth phase. Positive immunoreaction was estimated by image analysis. ICAM-1 immunopositivity status was significantly more frequent among malignant melanomas of the nodular type (p=0.0001), and was associated with the vertical growth phase, Breslow thickness of >0.77 mm, and with evident lymphocytic infiltration. beta(3) integrin immunopositivity showed similar results in certain respects; it was more frequently detected in superficial spreading melanomas in which vertical growth had developed (p=0.002) and in cases with regression. There appears to be an association of these molecules with histopathologic features that predict increased tumorigenicity of malignant melanocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Athens National and Capodistrian University Medical School, 75 Mikras Asias Street (Goudi), GR-115 27 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Haritopoulos
authors.forename: Andreas C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lazaris
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kavantzas
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tseleni-Balafouta
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomopoulou
authors.forename: Kyriaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aroni
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039661:Integrin beta3 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D039661:Integrin beta3; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1