title: Introducing MARCo: Histoserological Findings of a Multi-Organic Paraneoplastic Syndrome in Cutaneous Melanoma Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is an aggressive skin cancer entity, causing most skin cancer-related deaths. Autoimmune disorders have been described as potential paraneoplastic complications. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the possibility of a combinatory paraneoplastic affection of the retina and cochlea in patients with CM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera samples from CM patients were used for indirect immunofluorescence on histological retinal and cochlear sections. Furthermore, the serum specimen of a patient with symptomatic affection of both organs was analyzed by multiplex ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for various cytokines including CD163 (cluster of differentiation 163).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients were diagnosed with CM. Autoantibodies against structures of the inner ear were confirmed in all patients who were tested positive for antiretinal antibodies as well. CD163 was significantly elevated in the double-symptomatic patient, who developed metastatic disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paraneoplastic disease of CM can affect more than one organ and this affect may be correlated with the individual prognosis. Therefore, a thorough anamnesis is needed to avoid missing potential symptoms.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. eye.research101@gmail.com.|Laboratory for Angiogenesis and Ocular Cell Transplantation, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. eye.research101@gmail.com.
authors: Mahdy
authors: M
authors: Ranjbar
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.|Translational Macula Research Laboratory, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors: Armin
authors: A
authors: Mohi
authors: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Pföhler
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Grisanti
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.|Translational Macula Research Laboratory, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Rudolf
keywords: Cutaneous melanoma; Inner ear; Paraneoplastic syndrome; Retina