title: Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification of uveal melanoma: correlation with metastatic death.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) of uveal melanoma as a predictive tool for metastatic death.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uveal melanoma specimens of 73 patients treated between 1998 and 2000 were included. DNA samples were analyzed with MLPA evaluating 31 loci on chromosomes 1, 3, 6 and 8, and the results were correlated with metastatic death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients (27 women; 46 men) had a median age of 60.6 years and a median follow-up of 6.2 years. Metastatic death occurred in 28 patients, correlating most strongly with chromosome 3 losses and gains on 8q (Cox univariate analysis, P < 0.001). Chromosome 6, region p25, gains correlated with good survival (Cox univariate analysis, P = 0.003). Prediction of metastatic death was improved by considering equivocal chromosome 3 losses as abnormal and by taking account of multiple risk factors, such as 8q gains, tumor diameter, and histologic features indicative of high-grade malignancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MLPA analysis of uveal melanoma predicts metastatic death if statistically insignificant losses of chromosome 3 are considered together with gains in 8q as well as clinical stage and histologic grade of malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre, St Paul's Eye Clinic, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom. bertil@damato.co.uk
authors.forename: Bertil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Damato
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dopierala
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klaasen
authors.forename: Marcory
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sibbring
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Coupland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002878:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / Q000235:genetics; D002893:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 / Q000235:genetics; D002896:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 / Q000235:genetics; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 / Q000235:genetics; D015342:DNA Probes; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm