TY - JOUR
T1 - Expression of milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-VIII may be an indicator of poor prognosis in malignant melanoma
AU - Oba, J.
AU - Moroi, Y.
AU - Nakahara, T.
AU - Abe, T.
AU - Hagihara, A.
AU - Furue, M.
PY - 2011/9
Y1 - 2011/9
N2 - Summary Background Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-VIII (MFG-E8) is a secreted protein that binds phosphatidylserine and promotes apoptotic cell ingestion by phagocytes, mediating the immune tolerance and maintenance of homeostasis. A recent study has shown that MFG-E8 expression in human melanoma is increased with tumour progression; however, the effect of its expression on patient survival has not yet been clarified. Objective To analyse MFG-E8 expression in melanoma, and to determine whether it can serve as a marker for diagnosis, tumour progression and/or prognosis. Methods MFG-E8 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 60 primary melanomas, 22 metastatic lesions and 30 benign naevi. The following clinicopathological variables were evaluated: age, gender, histological type, tumour site, Breslow thickness, Clark's level, the presence or absence of ulceration and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, and survival periods. Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations and melanoma-specific survival. Results MFG-E8 expression was significantly higher in primary and metastatic melanoma than in naevus. Furthermore, it increased according to tumour progression and metastasis. Patients with MFG-E8 expression in primary tumours had significantly shorter survival periods than those without MFG-E8 expression. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that MFG-E8 expression was a statistically significant and independent prognostic factor. Conclusion MFG-E8 expression may serve as a tumour progression marker and can predict an unfavourable prognosis in patients with melanoma.
AB - Summary Background Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-VIII (MFG-E8) is a secreted protein that binds phosphatidylserine and promotes apoptotic cell ingestion by phagocytes, mediating the immune tolerance and maintenance of homeostasis. A recent study has shown that MFG-E8 expression in human melanoma is increased with tumour progression; however, the effect of its expression on patient survival has not yet been clarified. Objective To analyse MFG-E8 expression in melanoma, and to determine whether it can serve as a marker for diagnosis, tumour progression and/or prognosis. Methods MFG-E8 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 60 primary melanomas, 22 metastatic lesions and 30 benign naevi. The following clinicopathological variables were evaluated: age, gender, histological type, tumour site, Breslow thickness, Clark's level, the presence or absence of ulceration and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, and survival periods. Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations and melanoma-specific survival. Results MFG-E8 expression was significantly higher in primary and metastatic melanoma than in naevus. Furthermore, it increased according to tumour progression and metastasis. Patients with MFG-E8 expression in primary tumours had significantly shorter survival periods than those without MFG-E8 expression. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that MFG-E8 expression was a statistically significant and independent prognostic factor. Conclusion MFG-E8 expression may serve as a tumour progression marker and can predict an unfavourable prognosis in patients with melanoma.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80052196437&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80052196437&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10409.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10409.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 21574974
AN - SCOPUS:80052196437
VL - 165
SP - 506
EP - 512
JO - British Journal of Dermatology
JF - British Journal of Dermatology
SN - 0007-0963
IS - 3
ER -