Local environmental influences on uveal melanoma: vitreous humor promotes uveal melanoma invasion, whereas the aqueous can be inhibitory.

Background: Uveal melanomas of the choroid and ciliary body are aggressive tumors causing the death of approximately 50% of patients. In contrast, iris melanomas only infrequently metastasize; why these differences exist is not known. The local environment can regulate cancer growth and development, and it is probable the aqueous and vitreous humors have an important role in regulating uveal melanoma behavior.

Stimulation and inhibition of uveal melanoma invasion by HGF, GRO, IL-1alpha and TGF-beta.

Purpose: To investigate potential factors involved in uveal melanoma migration and invasion in vitro.

Methods: Using a microchemotaxis chamber, the effects were studied of a range of stimulators and inhibitors on a series of 10 primary uveal melanomas and 2 uveal melanoma cell lines, by assessing invasion through an 8- micro m pore membrane, precoated with an extracellular matrix solution. In addition, invasion in response to the effect of cells and conditioned media derived from the liver and other tissues was studied for one uveal melanoma culture, by using double-chambered wells, and invasion was assessed through an 8- micro m pore membrane, precoated with synthetic extracellular matrix.

An in vitro assay to assess uveal melanoma invasion across endothelial and basement membrane barriers.

Purpose: To develop a modified in vitro invasion assay to assess uveal melanoma invasion across endothelial and basement membrane barriers.

Methods: Using permeable cell culture supports, endothelial cells were grown to confluence on an 8-microM pore polycarbonate membrane precoated with an artificial basement membrane. Primary uveal melanomas were grown as short-term cultures at 37 degrees C and 5% CO2 and invaded through the endothelial cell layer and basement membrane.