[Proliferation markers, enzyme markers and oncogene expression profile of intraocular melanoma]

In this study 9 uveal melanomas, 1 iris melanoma and 1 conjunctival melanoma were evaluated for their proliferation activity with antibodies to KI67 protein. In addition, the distribution of glutathion-S transferase (alkaline and acid isoforms) and lysosomal cathepsin D protease was demonstrated immunohistochemically. The expression of the oncoproteins c-neu (internal and external domaine) and ras (mutated and non-mutated isoform) were also analyzed with specific monoclonal antibodies. In the case of the metastasing melanoma significant Ki67 protein expression and marked expression of the oncoproteins ras p21 and pan ras were obvious. All other melanomas showed less proliferation and enzymatic activity with a moderate expression pattern for oncoproteins. Regarding the results of the proliferation and enzymatic markers, the tumors were heterogeneous; single cells or clusters may play a role in the prognosis of the tumor if there is an intense immunohistochemical reaction. The influence of histomorphological criteria, e.g., cell subtype, seems to be minor compared to immunohistochemical criteria.