Detection of circulating melanoma cells in the blood of melanoma patients. Issue 4 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roland, Christina L.; Ross, Merrick I.; Hall, Carolyn S.; Laubacher, Barbara; Upshaw, Joshua; Anderson, Amber E.; Lucci, Anthony
• Is Part Of: Melanoma research. Volume 25:Issue 4(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Melanoma -- Periodicals; Melanoma -- Periodicals; Melanomen; 616.99477
• DOI: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000168
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8931

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <p>Significant prognostic heterogeneity exists within the substages of melanoma; therefore, novel prognostic biomarkers are needed to provide information on the risk of recurrence. Limited available data suggest prognostic significance for circulating melanoma cells (CMCs); there is a need for a sensitive, reproducible, and standardized identification technique. Using a semiautomated technology, we sought to determine whether CMCs could be identified reliably in stage I–IV melanoma patients and whether the presence of CMC correlated with known prognostic factors. CMCs were detected in the peripheral blood (7.5 ml) of patients with stage I–IV melanoma (<italic>n</italic>=89) using the CellSearch system. CD146<sup>+</sup> cells were immunomagnetically enriched; nucleated HMW-MAA<sup>+</sup>/CD45<sup>−</sup>/CD34<sup>−</sup> cells were considered CMCs. One or more CMCs was detected in 45% of all patients, varying with stage of disease (stages I/II, III, and IV: 35, 44, and 86%, respectively; <italic>P</italic>=0.03, for stage I/II vs. stage IV); 55% had one CMC, 32% had two CMCs, and 13% had three or more CMCs identified. The presence of CMCs in the blood was associated with histologic subtype, particularly in patients with stage I/II disease (superficial spreading 18% vs. acral lentiginous 75%). Using a semiautomated technique, CMCs can be identified in a significant number of melanoma patients. These data support further study with longer follow-up and longitudinal/serial time points to better determine the identification rates and prognostic significance of CMCs in stage I–IV melanoma patients.</p> </sec> </abstract>