Expression of c-myc oncoprotein represents a new prognostic marker in cutaneous melanoma

Authors: ROSS D.A.^{1, *}; WILSON G.D.²

Source: British Journal of Surgery, Volume 85, Number 1, January 1998 , pp. 46-51(6)

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract:

Background Overexpression of the c-myc oncoprotein has been observed to be of prognostic significance in several human cancers. This study was undertaken to establish whether c-myc has any prognostic significance in melanoma.

Methods Expression of c-myc oncoprotein was studied in a prospective series of primary and secondary malignant melanomas. Ethanol-fixed tissue was digested into nuclei and stained for flow cytometric analysis using a pan-myc antibody.

Results Overexpression of the c-myc oncoprotein was prevalent in both disease stages. In primary disease, overexpression was associated with tumour thickness and with the presence of ulceration, age and reduced disease-free interval. Of most importance, high expression of c-myc predicted poor outcome in both primary and metastatic disease. In addition, c-myc was able to discriminate prognosis in melanomas uniformly stratified as thick (greater than 3 mm) lesions.

Conclusion These results indicate an important role for c-myc in melanoma which may lead to better prognostic information and identification of new therapeutic strategies.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust, Institute of Research in Plastic Surgery 2: Gray Laboratory Cancer Research Trust, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood HA6 2RN, UK

Publication date: 1998-01-01

• As of January 2010, this journal will no longer be available on IngentaConnect, please visit Wiley InterScience to arrange continued access to this content
• Access this journal at Wiley InterScience
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Surgery
• By this author: ROSS D.A. ;  WILSON G.D.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers