Correlations between inflammatory cytokine levels and degree of pigmentation in acral melanomas.

Cutaneous melanoma, a highly aggressive skin tumor, is characterized by complex signaling pathways in terms of its pathogenesis and progression. Although the degree of pigmentation in melanoma determines its progression, metastasis, and prognosis, its association with inflammatory cytokines remains unclear. Thus, we evaluated the associations between melanoma pigmentation and plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines; furthermore, we investigated the potential variations in this relationship across the primary anatomic sites of melanoma.

Correlations of psychological distress with plasma cytokine levels and gene mutations in acral and non-acral melanoma.

Background: The presence of psychological distress has negatively affected the course and prognosis of melanoma. Psychological distress is influenced by cytokines and gene mutations, particularly in cancer, but no studies have investigated this phenomenon in melanoma patients. This study investigated the correlations of psychological distress, plasma cytokine levels, and gene mutations in melanoma patients, focusing on melanoma sites and TNM stages.