No evidence for c-erbB-2 overexpression in cutaneous melanoma

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the expression of the c-erbB-2 (HER-2/neu) oncoprotein in several malignant tumors and have related its o verexpression with poor prognosis. Because cutaneous melanoma is a malignan t tumor associated with poor prognosis, we investigated the expression of c -erbB-2 protein in cutaneous melanoma and in melanoma metastatic to the ski n. Materials and Methods: The expression of c-erbB-2 protein in 20 primary cutaneous melanomas and in 10 melanomas metastatic to the skin was investig ated using a semi-quantitative immunohistochemical assay. Results: No speci fic staining with c-erbB-2 antibody was observed in any of the 20 cases of primary malignant melanoma or 10 cases of melanoma metastatic to the skin. Conclusion: c-erbB-2 overexpression does not appear to play a role in the d evelopment of primary cutaneous melanoma or in the development of metastati c melanoma, indicating that mechanisms other than c-erbB-2 overexpression a re involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma.