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Updated: Jul 1, 2026
08:28
Experimental Metastasis Assay
Published on: August 24, 2010
WNT5A expression increases during melanoma progression and correlates with outcome
Philip D Da Forno1, J Howard Pringle, Peter Hutchinson
1Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Summary
Increased WNT5A protein expression correlates with melanoma progression. Strong cytoplasmic WNT5A is a significant risk factor for reduced survival in melanoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Wnt ligands are crucial in development and cancer.
- WNT5A is linked to increased melanoma cell motility and invasion.
- Limited studies exist on WNT5A's role in melanoma progression and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate WNT5A protein expression during melanoma progression.
- To evaluate the association between WNT5A expression and melanoma patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed WNT5A expression in 59 primary melanomas with matched metastases.
- Assessed p16(ink4a) expression as a melanoma progression benchmark.
- Correlated WNT5A protein levels with survival in 102 melanoma cases.
Main Results:
- Cytoplasmic WNT5A expression increased with melanoma progression (P=0.013).
- Diminishing p16(ink4a) expression paralleled melanoma progression (P=0.006).
- Strong cytoplasmic WNT5A independently predicted reduced metastasis-free and overall survival (P=0.001 and P=0.003).
Conclusions:
- Cytoplasmic WNT5A expression rises during melanoma progression.
- High WNT5A expression is a significant indicator of poor prognosis in melanoma.
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