HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (9) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Economou, M. A. Articles by Seregard, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Economou, M. A. Articles by Seregard, S.

Receptors for the Liver Synthesized Growth Factors IGF-1 and HGF/SF in Uveal Melanoma: Intercorrelation and Prognostic Implications

¹From Cellular and Molecular Tumor Pathology, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; ²Ophthalmic Pathology and Oncology Service, St. Erik’s Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; and the ³Department of Pathology, St. Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

PURPOSE. Uveal melanoma disseminates preferentially to the liver. The mechanism for this homing is largely unknown, but growth factors synthesized in the liver may be involved. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible relationship between cell surface receptors for two such growth factors: the c-Met proto-oncogene, which constitutes the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF), and the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R). Their role as a prognostic factor was also clarified.

METHODS. Paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 132 patients with primary uveal melanoma were analyzed by using well-established specific antibodies against c-Met and IGF-1R. The intercorrelation of receptor expression and association with melanoma-related survival of patients were determined by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS. Whereas the expression of both IGF-1R and c-Met was significantly associated with melanoma-specific mortality by univariate analysis (P = 0.004 and P = 0.007, respectively) only IGF-1R showed independent prognostic value by multivariate analysis, P = 0.004. The prognostic value of IGF-1R was stronger than such currently used prognostic parameters as tumor cell type and tumor diameter (P = 0.021 and P = 0.026, respectively). The expression patterns of the two growth factors receptors were weakly intercorrelated.

CONCLUSIONS. In conclusion, the data suggest that the receptors for IGF-1 and HGF/SF may play a role in the spread of uveal melanoma and its affinity to the liver. The strong correlation between IGF-1R expression and melanoma-specific mortality points to the use of IGF-1R as a prognostic tool.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. A. Economou, S. Andersson, D. Vasilcanu, C. All-Ericsson, E. Menu, A. Girnita, L. Girnita, M. Axelson, S. Seregard, and O. Larsson Oral Picropodophyllin (PPP) Is Well Tolerated In Vivo and Inhibits IGF-1R Expression and Growth of Uveal Melanoma Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., June 1, 2008; 49(6): 2337 - 2342. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Bakalian, J.-C. Marshall, P. Logan, D. Faingold, S. Maloney, S. Di Cesare, C. Martins, B. F. Fernandes, and M. N. Burnier Jr. Molecular Pathways Mediating Liver Metastasis in Patients with Uveal Melanoma Clin. Cancer Res., February 15, 2008; 14(4): 951 - 956. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Ye, D. Hu, L. Tu, X. Zhou, F. Lu, B. Wen, W. Wu, Y. Lin, Z. Zhou, and J. Qu Involvement of PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Induced Migration of Uveal Melanoma Cells Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., February 1, 2008; 49(2): 497 - 504. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]