title: Immunohistochemical expression of phospho-Akt in uveal melanoma.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of phospho-Akt and its possible association with clinicopathological features in uveal melanoma. Thirty-four enucleated eyes from 34 patients with choroidal melanoma were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment received: (1) primary enucleation (n=18); (2) radiotherapy, either external beam or brachytherapy, and enucleation (n=16). Clinicopathological data were obtained. The minimum follow-up time was 72 months. Immunohistochemistry for phospho-Akt was performed using an anti-phospho-Akt (Ser 473) rabbit antibody. The association of phospho-Akt with clinicopathological parameters was investigated in each patient group separately. Phospho-Akt immunostaining was cytoplasmic in both groups. In the primary enucleation group, 10 tumours were phospho-Akt positive (55.5%). Patients with phospho-Akt-positive tumours were older (average 70.8 years versus 59 years, P=0.01) and phospho-Akt immunoreactivity was significantly associated with a higher risk of metastatic disease (Kaplan-Meier analysis, P=0.02). In the radiotherapy and enucleation group, nine tumours were phospho-Akt positive (56.2%). The absence of phospho-Akt expression was correlated with male gender (P=0.02). The following conclusions can be drawn from this study: (1) phospho-Akt immunoexpression was detected in 55.5% of uveal melanomas treated with primary enucleation and in 56.2% of uveal melanomas treated with radiotherapy and enucleation; (2) the association of phospho-Akt immunoexpression with clinicopathological features, including prognosis, merits further study.
authors: The Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory and Registry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. vinicius@oftalmo.epm.br
authors: Vinicius S
authors: VS
authors: Saraiva
authors: Amanda L
authors: AL
authors: Caissie
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Segal
authors: Chaim
authors: C
authors: Edelstein
authors: Miguel N
authors: MN
authors: Burnier
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt