Prognostic significance and diagnostic value of protein S-100 and tyrosinase in patients with malignant melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
The utility of many molecules as tumor markers in melanoma has been investigated with different results. The aims of this study was to compare the value of tyrosinase mRNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in peripheral blood and of serum S-100 protein in patients with melanoma at different stages of disease.


METHODS
We have studied 90 peripheral blood samples corresponding to 90 patients that had been diagnosed with melanoma. The clinical staging at the time of blood sampling was performed according to the American Join Committee on Cancer guidelines. S-100 protein in serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (normal range: 0-0.150 microg) and the presence of tyrosinase mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Median progression-free survival was 281 days for tyrosinase positive patients and it has not been reached for tyrosinase negative patients (P = 0.03). Median progression free survival was 213 days for patients with elevated serum S-100 and it has not been reached for patients with normal level of serum S-100 (P < 0.001). Median overall survival (OS) was 396 days for tyrosinase positive patients and it has not been reached for negative patients (P = 0.0096). Median OS was 282 days for patients with elevated serum S-100 and it has not been reached for patients with normal level of serum S-100 (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, both markers have significant prognostic value for time to progression and for survival (chi(2) test).


CONCLUSIONS
RT-PCR for tyrosinase mRNA and S-100 are significant prognostic factors for progression-free survival and OS in melanoma. S-100 has higher sensitivity and specificity than tyrosinase.
Andrés
Raquel
R
Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain. andresraquel@hotmail.com
Mayordomo
Jose I
JI
Visus
Carmen
C
Isla
Dolores
D
Godino
Javier
J
Escudero
Pilar
P
Saenz
Alberto
A
Ortega
Eugenia
E
Lastra
Rodrigo
R
Lambea
Julio
J
Aguirre
Elena
E
Elosegui
Luis
L
Marcos
Ivan
I
Ruiz-Echarri
Manuel
M
Millastre
Esther
E
Sáez-Gutierrez
Berta
B
Asin
Laura
L
Vidal
Maria J
MJ
Ferrer
Ana
A
Giner
Armando
A
Larrad
Luis
L
Carapeto
Francisco J
FJ
Tres
Alejandro
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015996:Survival Rate
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D009418:S100 Proteins; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase