title: Allelic imbalance on 12q22-23 in serum circulating DNA of melanoma patients predicts disease outcome.
abstract: Allelic imbalance (AI) encompassing the apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (APAF-1) locus (12q22-23) is found frequently in metastatic melanoma. Circulating DNA with AI on 12q22-23 in serum was evaluated as a surrogate marker to predict biochemotherapy (BC) treatment response in melanoma patients. Sera were collected from 49 American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IV melanoma patients treated with BC. Serum AI of the 12q22-23 region was demonstrated to be present before and/or after BC. BC responders showed a significantly lower frequency of AI (5 of 24, 21%) compared with nonresponders (11 of 20, 55%; Fisher's exact test, P < 0.029). Serum AI on 12q22-23 was associated with worse prognosis (log-rank test, P < 0.046). These findings indicate that serial serum genetic analysis of tumor-related AI on 12q22-23 may have clinical use in predicting tumor response to therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, California 90404, USA.
authors.forename: Akihide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: O'Day
authors.forename: Bret
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taback
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elashoff
authors.forename: Dave S B
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hoon
mesh_terms: D022981:Allelic Imbalance; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D002881:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 / Q000235:genetics*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C506592:APAF1 protein, human; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011506:Proteins