Evaluation of Clinical and Immunohistochemical Factors Relating to Melanoma Metastasis: Potential Roles of Nestin and Fascin in Melanoma.

Yumiko Yamamoto,Yoshihiro Hayashi,Hideyuki Sakaki,Ichiro Murakami

doi:10.3390/diagnostics12010219

Yumiko Yamamoto, Yoshihiro Hayashi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12010219

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Abstract

For melanoma treatment, an early diagnosis and a complete resection of the primary tumor is essential. In addition, detection of factors that may be related to metastasis is indispensable. A total of 30 Japanese patients with Stage I or II melanoma, diagnosed according to the classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, are included in this study. Clinical background (sex, onset age, primary tumor area, existence of remaining cancer cells at the resected tissue margin, and treatment after the primary surgery) and immunohistochemical staining (Nestin and Fascin) on the resected tissue were examined to detect factors statistically related to metastasis. The analysis result has shown that older onset age and positive immunohistochemical expressions of Nestin and Fascin are statistically related to metastasis. To facilitate meticulous observation of Nestin and Fascin expression at different timing (e.g., onset and metastasis), double immunofluorescence staining was performed. Nestin is a class VI intermediate filament protein, initially detected in neural stem cells. Fascin is an actin-bundling protein which regulates cell adhesion, migration and invasion. Nestin and Fascin are suggested to relate to melanoma metastasis, however, the potential role of Fascin is controversial. Analysis of variations in Fascin expression detected in this study may contribute to further investigations concerning potential roles of Fascin for progression of melanoma. This is the first study to report double immunofluorescent staining of Nestin and Fascin in melanoma. Nestin and Fascin double-positive melanoma cells were detected.

Highlights

Introduction iationsMelanoma is classified according to the tumor primary outbreak area as: cutaneous melanoma, mucosal melanoma, uveal melanoma, and unknown-primary melanoma [1,2,3].Clinicopathologically, melanoma is categorized as Stage I to IV according to the classification of American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system [4]
Melanoma is categorized as Stage I to IV according to the classification of American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system [4]
Melanoma is a life-threatening disease when diagnosed at an advanced stage or when metastasis occurs after surgical treatment of the primary tumor [6]

Summary

Introduction

Melanoma is classified according to the tumor primary outbreak area as: cutaneous melanoma, mucosal melanoma, uveal melanoma, and unknown-primary melanoma [1,2,3]. Melanoma is categorized as Stage I to IV according to the classification of American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system [4]. Kashiwa, Japan 2017 research study showed a moderately favorable five-year survival rate of melanoma of 86.2% (Stage I) and 79.6% (Stage II). The survival rate greatly decreased for Stage IV melanoma to 11% [5]. Melanoma is a life-threatening disease when diagnosed at an advanced stage or when metastasis occurs after surgical treatment of the primary tumor [6]. Several studies have been carried out to determine factors that might be useful to predict metastasis of melanoma. A larger tumor size, deeper depth, and formation of Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

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