Prognostic value of tyrosinase reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in metastatic melanoma

Background: Circulating tumor cells can now be identified in subjects with metastatic melanoma by using the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain rea ction (RT-PCR) to detect the messenger RNA of tyrosinase, a key enzyme of m elanogenesis.Aim and Methods: The aim of this study was to determine whethe r the detection of positive tyrosinase cells in patients at metastatic stag e was associated with a worse evolution. 32 patients were included with met astatic melanoma (AJCC IV).Results: 66% had a positive tyrosinase RT-PCR an d a shorter survival compared with patients with a negative RT-PCR, but thi s difference is not statistically significant: However, a positive test cou ld appear indicative of rapid progression and poor prognosis. Conclusion: T he prognostic value of this method could be improved by combining it with P CR of other melanoma markers (Melan A, Mage 3) or assays of serum markers ( S 100 protein or lactate dehydrogenase). Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, B asel.