Expression of melan‐a/MART‐1 antigen as a prognostic factor in primary cutaneous melanoma

• Published in: International journal of cancer 2001-01, Vol.95 (1), p.73-77
• Main Authors: Berset, Magali, Cerottini, Jean‐Philippe, Guggisberg, David, Romero, Pedro, Burri, Françoise, Rimoldi, Donata, Panizzon, Renato G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antigens, Neoplasm; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Disease Progression; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; MART-1 Antigen; Medical sciences; melanoma; Melanoma - diagnosis; Melanoma - metabolism; monoclonal antibodies; Multivariate Analysis; Neoplasm Proteins - biosynthesis; Prognosis; Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis; Skin Neoplasms - metabolism; survival; Time Factors; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
• ISSN: 0020-7136; 1097-0215
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0215(20010120)95:1<73::AID-IJC1013>3.0.CO;2-S

In this study we assessed the expression of the Melan‐A/MART‐1 antigen by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody A103 in 73 primary cutaneous melanomas and its correlation with tumor staging and patient survival. Melan‐A/MART‐1 was expressed in 90% of primary tumors, with loss of expression increasing with Breslow thickness. Kaplan‐Meier analysis demonstrated a significantly reduced disease‐free interval and overall survival rate for patients not expressing this antigen. The poor prognosis of such patients was even worse for those presenting with a primary melanoma and a Breslow thickness of ≥ 1 mm. Thus, Melan‐A/MART‐1 is not only a useful and specific additional marker for the diagnosis of primary cutaneous melanoma, but it may also help refine the prognosis of patients with malignant melanoma. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.