Quantitative detection of melanoma-associated antigens by multimarker real-time RT-PCR for molecular staging: results of a 5 years study

Monitoring of circulating melanoma cells in the peripheral blood is a promising method for identifying a subgroup of patients with minimal residual disease.

To evaluate the prognostic impact of melanoma-associated antigens by multimarker real-time RT-PCR for disease-specific survival time.

Five melanoma markers: Melan-A, gp 100, MAGE-3, MIA and tyrosinase were detected by a quantitative multimarker real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). We included 65 patients with resected melanoma in stage II-III. Peripheral blood samples were examined every 3 months for 2 years. The expression of melanoma markers in 2925 RT-PCR assays was correlated with clinical staging results in total of 5 years.

Twenty-seven patients relapsed during the study period and 26 of them revealed positive markers. MAGE-3 was the most sensitive progression marker in single occurrence or in combination with MIA and gp 100. The time distribution of metastases during the screened period was as follows: progression in the first year was observed in 40.7% patients, second year in 25.9%, third year in 18.6%, fourth and fifth year in 7.4% equally.

Statistically significant tumor marker elevation during the first 2 years after the surgical treatment correlates with a worse prognosis of patients. In contrast, the group showing negative real-time RT-PCR results in 24 months serial blood testing was associated with prolonged 5-year disease-specific survival. Therefore, quantitative detection of melanoma-specific molecular markers in the presented setting represents a useful tool for selecting patients in a higher risk of disease recurrence.