Antigenic profiles of individual-matched pairs of primary and melanoma metastases.

A unique collection of individual-matched pairs of primary and melanoma metastases were studied immunohistochemically with a panel of 6 monoclonal antibodies directed to gp-100, pigmentation-associated antigen, tyrosinase-related protein, human leukocyte antigen DR, MAA-1, and MAA-2 (high molecular weight melanoma-associated antigens). The antigenic profile of immunoreactive pigment cells was compared with the stage of tumor progression. Our data show consistent antigenic profiles of primary melanomas and their metastases within the same patient.

Multiple complementary transcripts of pCMa1, a novel gene located at chromosome 11p15.1-2, and melanocytic cell transformation.

The cDNA clone pCMa1 (0.45 kb) is one of the 12 novel cDNAs, previously identified when comparing RNA expression profiles of melanocytes, naevus cells, and non-metastatic melanoma cells. This clone did not reveal a unique long open reading frame.

Gene expression patterns in melanocytic cells: candidate markers for early stage and malignant transformation.

Different stages of differentiation of human melanocytic cells, such as normal melanocytes, naevus and melanoma cells, reflect distinct gene expression patterns. A PCR-based subtractive hybridization and display method was applied to identify genes that are differentially expressed in melanocytic cells in relation to early stage and malignant transformation. This resulted in the identification of a number of candidate cDNAs differentially expressed among melanocytes, naevus cells, and (non)-metastatic melanoma cells.