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Serum selenium levels in patients with malignant melanoma
1Immunology Laboratory, Medizinische Klinik, Tübingen, FRG.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
|January 1, 1989
Summary
This study found lower selenium (Se) levels in melanoma patients, especially those with advanced or specific melanoma types. These findings suggest a link between low selenium and skin cancer risk.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Malignant melanoma incidence is rising, particularly in fair-skinned populations.
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a key factor in skin cancer development.
- Peroxidative damage is implicated in UV-carcinogenesis, with selenium (Se) offering protection via antioxidant mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between selenium status and malignant melanoma.
- To determine if Se levels differ across clinical stages and histogenetic subtypes of melanoma.
Main Methods:
- Serum selenium levels were measured in 101 patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
- Serum Se concentrations were compared between melanoma patients and a control group.
- Analysis was conducted across different clinical stages and histogenetic subtypes (lentigo maligna melanoma and superficial spreading melanoma).
Main Results:
- Melanoma patients exhibited significantly lower serum selenium levels compared to controls.
- All clinical stages of melanoma showed reduced Se levels, with the lowest observed in stage III (disseminated melanoma).
- Lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) and superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) subtypes showed the strongest association with depressed serum Se.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence linking malignant melanoma to low serum selenium concentrations.
- The findings support the hypothesis that selenium deficiency may play a role in melanoma development or progression.
- Results align with epidemiological data indicating an inverse correlation between Se levels and certain cancers.