Alpha-v-beta3 integrin expression in melanocytic nevi and cutaneous melanoma.

Background: Alpha-v-beta3 integrin (alphavbeta3) is a vitronectin ligand and plays an important role in melanoma progression.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the expression of alphavbeta3 in superficial spreading cutaneous melanoma, in both conventional and tissue microarray (TMA) paraffin-embedded-tissue specimens, and correlate with histopathological variables and patient survival.

Material And Methods: A total of 159 tissue samples from compound nevi (n = 19), in situ melanoma (n = 5), thin melanoma (n = 34), thick melanoma (n = 72) and metastatic melanoma (n = 29) were studied.