engleski

Prognostic value of the detection of circulating melanoma cells by tyrosinase-specific RT-PCR in patients with melanoma

In this study, tyrosinase was investigated as a marker for detection of circulating melanoma cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic value of tyrosinase in patients with melanoma. Blood samples from 201 melanoma patients in all stages of the disease were analyzed by RT-PCR for the expression of tyrosinase. A blood sample for analysis was obtained from each patient at the time of inclusion in the study. Out of 201 melanoma patients, 20 (10%) were positive for tyrosinase. Median follow-up for patients was 53 months (range 3 - 84 months). Progression-free survival was not significantly different between patients positive for tyrosinase and patients negative for tyrosinase (p=0, 177, log-rank test). Overall survival was significantly greater in patients positive for tyrosinase (p=0, 007, log-rank test). In univariate regression analysis tyrosinase value was not a significant predictor for progression-free survival but was a significant predictor for overall survival (hazard ratio=3, 08 ; 95%CI, 1, 32-7, 22 ; p=0, 01). However, in a multivariate regression analysis AJCC stage was the only independent predictor for both overall and progression-free survival. Our results suggest that tyrosinase as a marker for circulating melanoma cells in patients with melanoma has a prognostic value in predicting overall survival, but its prognostic value is not independent of the stage of disease.

melanoma; tyrosinase; reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction; circulating tumor cells

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