Circulating adhesion molecules as prognostic factors for cutaneous melanoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Adhesion molecule overexpression is linked to human neoplasms like malignant melanoma.
• The predictive value of circulating adhesion molecules for prognosis in melanoma remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prognostic relevance of specific circulating adhesion molecules in primary malignant melanoma (PMM) and metastatic malignant melanoma (MMM).
• Investigated circulating CD44 standard (cCD44std), its isoforms (cv5, cv6, cv10), circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (cICAM-1), and circulating platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (cPECAM-1).

Main Methods:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to measure adhesion molecule levels.
• Studied 119 patients with PMM and MMM, 12 with dysplastic nevi, and 28 with inflammatory cutaneous diseases.

Main Results:

• Elevated levels of cCD44std and cICAM-1 were observed in patients with PMM, MMM, and inflammatory conditions compared to healthy donors, but not significantly.
• No significant increases were found for CD44 isoforms (cv5, cv6, cv10) or cPECAM-1.
• Levels did not significantly differ even in patients with advanced metastases or those who died from MMM.

Conclusions:

• Circulating adhesion molecules were detectable in all groups, including healthy individuals and melanoma patients.
• None of the assessed circulating adhesion molecules demonstrated significant prognostic relevance across studied subgroups.
• High levels of cCD44std and cICAM-1 in some PMM and MMM patients warrant further detailed investigation.