We have used differential cDNA display to search for genes whose expression correlates with an aggressive phenotype in variants of the B16 murine melanoma line, B16-F1 and 1516-1 10. This analysis identified a novel gene, termed melastatin, that is expressed at high levels in poorly metastatic variants of B16 melanoma and at much reduced levels in highly metastatic B16 variants. Melastatin was ...

We have used differential cDNA display to search for genes whose expression correlates with an aggressive phenotype in variants of the B16 murine melanoma line, B16-F1 and B16-F10. This analysis identified a novel gene, termed melastatin, that is expressed at high levels in poorly metastatic variants of B16 melanoma and at much reduced levels in highly metastatic B16 variants. Melastatin was al...

We investigated the role of alterations of HDM2, the human homologue of murine mdm2, in the tumorigenesis and progression of cutaneous melanoma. A well-characterized cohort of 172 cases representing different points in the spectrum of melanocyte transformation (16 dysplastic nevi, 11 melanomas in situ, 107 invasive primaries, and 38 metastatic lesions), as well as 11 human melanoma cell lines w...

Background The presence of monosomy 3 in the primary tumor is widely accepted as the most reliable prognostic parameter, identified in approximately 50% of patients with primary uveal melanoma [1]. Long term studies have shown a 3-year survival rate of 40% if monosomy 3 is present, whereas tumors with normal chromosome 3 status rarely give rise to metastatic disease and have a 90% 3-year surviv...

Melanoma is a deadly cancer due to its propensity to metastasize. Pharmacological inhibition of cell motility may benefit patients with cutaneous melanoma by preventing metastasis to internal organs. The Rho GTPases are signaling molecules that drive metastasis by controlling cell motility. We found RhoC to be expressed in clinical melanoma specimens and hypothesized that inhibiting its activat...

BACKGROUND Metastatic melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer and currently resistant to systemic therapy. Melanomas may involve genetic, epigenetic and metabolic abnormalities. Evidence is emerging that epigenetic changes might play a significant role in tumor cell plasticity and metastatic phenotype of melanoma cells. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this study, we developed a systematic approach ...

BACKGROUND Melanoma metastasis status is highly associated with the overall survival of patients; yet, little is known about proteomic changes during melanoma tumor progression. To better understand the changes in protein expression involved in melanoma progression and metastasis, and to identify potential biomarkers, we conducted a global quantitative proteomic analysis on archival metastatic ...

Primary spinal melanomas are extremely rare lesions. In 1906, Hirschberg reported the first primary spinal melanoma, and since then only 40 new cases have been reported. A 47-year-old man was admitted suffering from low back pain, fatigue and loss of body weight persisting for three months. He had a 17-year-old history of an operated primary spinal melanoma from T7-T9, which had remained stable...

introduction primary malignant esophageal melanoma makes up 0.1% to 0.2% of all esophageal malignancies. most physicians assume malignant melanoma as a skin originated neoplasm, however this type of melanoma can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract especially in the esophagus. thus, it is essential to consider malignant melanoma in differential diagnosis of any esophagus masses. case pr...

AIM OF THE STUDY The incidence of melanoma is increasing rapidly worldwide. Metastatic melanoma is still an incurable disease, although an era of new drugs is approaching. Current methods to predict outcomes in patients with advanced, metastatic melanoma are limited. A retrospective analysis of a contemporary large group of advanced melanomas was performed to determine clinical prognostic facto...