Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Expression of PIWIL3 in primary and metastatic melanoma
Thilo Gambichler1, Christina Kohsik2, Ann-Kathrin Höh2
1Skin Cancer Center of the Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791, Bochum, Germany. t.gambichler@klinikum-bochum.de.
Purpose:
The PIWI-interacting RNA machinery in malignant melanoma (MM) has not been sufficiently studied. We aimed to investigate the PIWIL3 expression profiles in primary melanomas and metastases of MM including a correlation with clinical data.
Methods:
We studied 161 primary melanomas, 45 lymph node metastases, and 16 distant metastases of 183 patients with MM. We used immunohistochemistry to assess PIWIL3 protein expression in situ. The relationship between the immunoreactivity of PIWIL3 and clinical data was statistically evaluated.
Results:
We observed a significantly (P = 0.000059) higher median immunoreactivity score in primary melanomas (4.9; range, 0.1-6), lymph node metastases (5.1; range, 3.3-6), and distant metastases (5.6; range, 4.5-6). PIWIL3 was expressed significantly higher (P = 0.0002) in primary nodular melanomas and acral melanomas (5.2; range, 3.4-6) when compared to other melanoma subtypes (4.7; range, 0.1-6). On univariate analysis, a significant positive correlation was observed between primary melanoma PIWIL3 expression and tumor thickness (r = 0.2; P = 0.014). On univariate and multivariate analysis, PIWIL3 did not prove to be an independent predictor for melanoma relapse or death.
Conclusions:
Our data indicate that PIWIL3 protein expression is elevated in more aggressive primary MM and metastatic disease. As also observed in other malignancies, PIWIL3 seems to play a role in MM progression.
Insights
PIWIL3 protein expression is elevated in aggressive malignant melanoma (MM) and its metastases. This suggests PIWIL3 plays a role in MM progression, offering potential insights into cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- RNA Biology
Background:
- The role of PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) machinery in malignant melanoma (MM) remains underexplored.
- Understanding piRNA involvement is crucial for advancing melanoma research and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PIWIL3 expression profiles in primary melanomas and MM metastases.
- To correlate PIWIL3 expression with clinical data in patients with malignant melanoma.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess PIWIL3 protein expression in 161 primary melanomas, 45 lymph node metastases, and 16 distant metastases from 183 MM patients.
- Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between PIWIL3 immunoreactivity and clinical data.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher median PIWIL3 immunoreactivity scores were observed in primary melanomas and all types of metastases compared to controls.
- PIWIL3 expression was notably higher in nodular and acral melanomas versus other subtypes.
- A positive correlation was found between PIWIL3 expression in primary melanomas and tumor thickness, though it was not an independent predictor of relapse or death.
Conclusions:
- PIWIL3 protein expression is elevated in more aggressive primary malignant melanoma and metastatic disease.
- PIWIL3 appears to play a role in the progression of malignant melanoma.
- Further research into PIWIL3's function in MM could reveal new therapeutic targets.
