1. Expression of Melan-A/MART-1 antigen as a prognostic factor in primary cutaneous melanoma
- Author
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M, Berset, J P, Cerottini, D, Guggisberg, P, Romero, F, Burri, D, Rimoldi, and R G, Panizzon
- Subjects
Male ,Skin Neoplasms ,Time Factors ,Prognosis ,Immunohistochemistry ,Disease-Free Survival ,Neoplasm Proteins ,MART-1 Antigen ,Antigens, Neoplasm ,Multivariate Analysis ,Disease Progression ,Humans ,Female ,Melanoma - Abstract
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 ofor = 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.
- Published
- 2001