title: Serum DJ-1/PARK 7 is a potential biomarker of choroidal nevi transformation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is substantial evidence that intraocular melanomas arise from benign nevi in the uveal tract. Previous studies performed by the authors revealed that uveal melanoma cells secrete the oncoprotein DJ-1/PARK7 into the extracellular environment and circulation. The aim of this study was to determine whether circulating DJ-1 serum levels correlate with known clinical risk factors of nevi growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standardized ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, and eye fundus examinations were used to evaluate the clinical risk factors of nevi growth. These clinical risk factors (including nevi size, distance of margins to the optic disc, detection of acoustic hollowness, presence of ocular symptoms, orange pigment, subretinal fluid, and absence of drusen) were examined in 53 consecutive patients from January 2009 to February 2011. Serum levels of DJ-1/PARK7 in these patients and in healthy age- and sex-matched controls (n = 32) were analyzed using ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within the choroidal nevi group, DJ-1 serum levels were higher in those with symptoms (P < 0.033), with a nevus thickness greater than 1.5 mm (P < 0.001), a large basal diameter greater than 8 mm (P < 0.001), and the presence of acoustic hollowness (P < 0.001), compared to those patients without these risk factors. Similar significant differences were found when these at risk nevi subgroups were compared to healthy persons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated serum levels of DJ-1 are associated with choroidal nevi transformation risk factors. Therefore, DJ-1 appears to be a promising factor for predicting the growth of choroidal nevi and may be a potential biomarker of malignancy.
authors: Ocular Oncology Unit, Servizo de Oftalmoloxía, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago, Spain. verman017@hotmail.com
authors: Manuel F
authors: MF
authors: Bande
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Santiago
authors: Maria Jose
authors: MJ
authors: Blanco
authors: Purificacion
authors: P
authors: Mera
authors: Carmela
authors: C
authors: Capeans
authors: Maria Xose
authors: MX
authors: Rodríguez-Alvarez
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Pardo
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Piñeiro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; C105131:PARK7 protein, human; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1