Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mode of angiogenesis between highly invasive malignant melanoma and poorly invasive malignant melanoma by immunohistochemistry and periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS) and to discuss whether the tumor cells in highly invasive malignant melanoma carry vasculogenic mimicry through self-metamorphosis, thus acquiring blood supply to sustain their growth.

METHODSThirty cases of highly invasive malignant melanoma and 30 cases of poorly invasive malignant melanoma were retrieved and reprocessed as tissue microarray for further investigations. The tissue microarray sections were then stained with CD34 and PAS; and the positivity rates were compared.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference between CD34 and PAS staining in highly invasive malignant melanoma (P < 0.01). The difference was not statistically significant in poorly invasive malignant melanoma (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVasculogenic mimicry exists in some cases of highly invasive malignant melanoma. It is possible that the tumor cells can acquire blood supply to sustain growth and metastasize via this mechanism.

Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; analysis ; Melanoma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology

The melanoma antigen (MAGE) family proteins are well known as tumor-specific antigens and comprise more than 60 genes, which share a conserved MAGE homology domain (MHD). Type I MAGEs are highly expressed cancer antigens, and they play an important role in tumorigenesis and cancer cell survival. Recently, several MAGE proteins were identified to interact with RING domain proteins, including a sub-family of E3 ubiquitin ligases. The binding mode between MAGEs and RING proteins was investigated and one important structure of these MAGE-RING complexes was solved: the MAGE-G1-NSE1 complex. Structural and biochemical studies indicated that MAGE proteins could adjust the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of its cognate RING partner both in vitro and in vivo. However, the underlying mechanism was not fully understood. Here, we review these exciting advances in the studies on MAGE family, suggest potential mechanisms by which MAGEs activate the E3 activity of their binding RING proteins and highlight the anticancer potential of this family proteins.
Animals ; Humans ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Protein Structure, Tertiary

Adolescent ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; metabolism ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; secondary ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Clear Cell ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo determine at the mRNA level whether the MAGE-A1 and -A3 genes are expressed in cancer cell lines from salivary glands and relevant clinical carcinomas, and thus to distinguish cancerous tissues from normal tissues and benign tumors in salivary glands.

METHODSThe expression of the MEGE-A1 and MEGE-A3 genes at the mRNA level was determined by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 2 cell lines of human adenoid cyst carcinomas (ACC-2 and ACC-M), in 18 malignant tumors and 9 benign salivary gland tumors, and in 10 samples of normal salivary gland tissues.

RESULTSBoth MAGE-A1 and -A3 genes were expressed in ACC-2 and ACC-M cell lines. None of the 9 benign tumors or the 10 normal tissue samples of salivary glands expressed the genes. The MAGE-A1 and -A3 genes were expressed in 9 (50%) and 11 (61%) of 18 salivary gland carcinomas, respectively, and at least 1 of the 2 genes was expressed in 14 (78%) of them. Of the 18 salivary gland carcinomas, 6 low-differentiated carcinomas (33%) expressed both genes, whereas 4 high-differentiated carcinomas (22%) expressed neither gene.

CONCLUSIONSThe MAGE-A1 and -A3 genes can be expressed in cancer cell lines of salivary glands and relevant clinical carcinomas in addition to other malignant tumors of various histological origins. The results suggest the possibility of immunotherapy against salivary gland carcinomas by using MAGE-gene-encoded products as target antigens for tumor-rejection.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Adult ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Melanoma ; cerebrospinal fluid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Melanosis ; cerebrospinal fluid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; cerebrospinal fluid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Meninges ; chemistry ; pathology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; S100 Proteins ; analysis

Aged ; Back ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; metabolism ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery

Antigens, Neoplasm ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Melanosis ; complications ; congenital ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; complications ; congenital ; metabolism ; pathology ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Skin ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of the biomarkers and the clinicopathological characteristics on the prognosis of malignant melanoma (MM).

METHODSThe clinical data of 127 MM cases were retrospective analyzed. The surgical specimens of MM were analyzed with immunohistochemistry for detecting HMB45, S-100 and vimentin expressions, and univariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed to analyze their correlation to the prognosis of the patients.

RESULTSAmong the 127 MM cases, the positivity rates of HMB45, S-100 and vimentin were 89.8%, 92.1% and 78.0%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the patients' age, ulcer, Clark classification, postoperative tumor margin, AJCC, treatment outcomes, and S-100 were significantly correlated to the prognosis, and multivariate analysis indicated that age, Clark classification, S-100, tumor margin and outcomes were the independent predictive factors for the prognosis of MM.

CONCLUSIONS-100, age, Clark classification, S-100, tumor margin and treatment outcomes were the independent prognostic factors for MM, and HMB45 and vimentin have no predictive value in the prognosis of MM.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Melanoma ; diagnosis ; mortality ; pathology ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Vimentin ; metabolism