SERUM LEVELS OF SICAM-1 AND 5-S-CYSTEINYLDOPA AS MARKERS OF MELANOMA PROGRESSION

The serum levels of the soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecul e-1 (sICAM-1) and 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) were determined by double determinant immunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography, r espectively, Fifty-three melanoma patients (stage 1, 12 patients; stag e II, 11; stage III, 19; and stage IV, 11; total number of samples, 11 6) and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were analysed, Both the sICAM-1 and 5-S-CD levels were significantly higher in stage IV patients than those in stage I, II and III patients (sICAM 1; all P<0.001;5-S-CD; all P<0.05). The serum levels of 5-S-CD were elevated only in stage IV patients, sICAM-1 levels elevated gradually with dise ase progression. Testing of sequential bleedings showed that both sICA M-1 and 5-S-CD levels were elevated in most of the patients whose dise ase had progressed, However 5-S-CD levels were not elevated in those p atients whose metastases were amelanotic. There was a statistically si gnificant correlation between sICAM-1 and 5-S-CD levels (R=0.6 55, P<0 ,001). Serum levels of 5-S-CD may be a useful parameter for monitoring the clinical course of the disease in patients whose metastases are m elanotic. Analysis of both sICAM-1 and B-S-CD levels in serum will con tribute greatly to monitoring the clinical course of melanoma patients .