RELEVANCE OF ALPHA-MSH PLASMA-LEVELS TO D IAGNOSIS IN HUMAN-MALIGNANTMELANOMA

In malignant melanoma, melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) has been found to influence the cellular metabolism of melanoma cells (c-A MP production, protein and RNA synthesis, and tyrosinase activation). In some publications elevated alpha-MSH levels have been described in melanoma patients. In the present study we used a commercially availab le radioimmunoassay to examine the alpha-MSH levels in patients with m alignant melanoma and a control group consisting of apparently healthy volunteers (laboratory assistants) and dermatological patients withou t malignant tumours. The plasma alpha-MSH levels were (xBAR +/- SD) 12 .2 +/- 12.9 for 37 melanoma patients (17 female, 20 male) and 7.9 +/- 3.5 pmol/l for 38 control persons (18 female, 20 male). The difference is significant according to the distribution-free U-test of Mann and Whitney. In 13 (35%) of the melanoma patients values were above the no rmal range defined by the 95.5% confidence limit. Alpha-MSH cannot be classified as a typical tumour marker. Nonetheless, in our opinion alp ha-MSH levels may be useful in monitoring melanoma patients with refer ence to prognosis and follow up during and after therapy.