Immunohistochemical expression of platelet growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with melanoma with and without redness (Brenner sign).
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether an erythematous eruption in the vicinity of or distant from a melanoma lesion might be related to the vascular endothelial growth factor, the platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, or both.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens from 13 patients with primary melanoma, 6 of whom had erythematous eruptions and 7 who did not, were studied by immunohistochemistry for the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor.


RESULTS
Vascular endothelial growth factor was positive in 3 of 6 patients (50%) with melanoma and redness (Brenner sign) and in 4 of 7 patients (57%) with melanoma without redness. Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor was positive in all 6 patients (100%) with melanoma and redness and in 4 of 7 patients (57%) with melanoma without redness.


CONCLUSIONS
Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor may have a part in the pathogenesis of the redness observed in patients with melanoma, called Brenner sign, by affecting vasculature function.
Mashiah
Jacob
J
Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman St, 64239 Tel Aviv, Israel.
Wohl
Yonit
Y
Barnea
Yoav
Y
Schneebaum
Shlomo
S
Gat
Andrea
A
Misonzhnik-Bedny
Faina
F
Brenner
Sarah
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A