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World J Dermatol. Nov 2, 2013; 2(4): 44-50
Published online Nov 2, 2013. doi: 10.5314/wjd.v2.i4.44
Potential biomarkers for malignant melanoma
Ye-Nan Wang, Yuki Yamamoto, Fukumi Furukawa
Ye-Nan Wang, Yuki Yamamoto, Fukumi Furukawa, Department of Dermatology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-0012, Japan
Author contributions: Wang YN wrote this manuscript and made the figure; Yamamoto Y contributed to the writing of this manuscript; Furukawa F critically revised this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Ye-Nan Wang, MD, Department of Dermatology, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1, Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-0012, Japan. wangyenan1112@live.cn
Telephone: +81-73-4472300 Fax: +81-73-4481908
Received: July 7, 2013
Revised: August 14, 2013
Accepted: September 3, 2013
Published online: November 2, 2013
Processing time: 115 Days and 17.2 Hours
Abstract

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers and its high metastatic potential has a large impact on the number of melanoma deaths. The pathological diagnosis is still the gold standard for melanoma and immunohistochemistry plays an important role in discriminating between melanomas. Recently, emerging molecular knowledge may lead to further identification of clinically relevant biomarkers, such as S100B, MIA, TA-90IC, 5-S-CD, SPARC, CSPG4, HSP105, IMP3, KIF2A, miR-221, YKL-40, some cancer stem cells (CD133, Nestin, CD166, CD20, CD271) and some monoclonal antibodies (KBA62, PNL2), for malignant melanoma detection, risk stratification and prediction/prognosis. However, all of the current main markers have some shortcomings. For example, all markers have limitations in sensitivity and specificity, even the first-line marker, S100 protein. So, sometimes, many of the classification criteria that have been proposed show considerable overlap, making it difficult to categorize cases reproducibly, based on histopathological criteria alone. Besides that, the increased expression of some proteins in melanomas suggests that there are abnormal proteins synthesized due to the genetic pathway. Therefore, we expect that there will be more instrumental breakthroughs in the abnormal gene field, especially with respect to gene mutation. Ultimately, novel melanoma biomarkers could be found and gradually become targeted treatment strategies for a poor prognosis in advanced melanoma in the near future.

Keywords: Melanoma; Prognosis; Survival; Biological marker; Immunohistochemistry

Core tip: Melanoma is one of the most common cancers and its high metastatic potential has a large impact on the number of melanoma deaths. Emerging molecular knowledge may lead to further identification of clinically relevant biomarkers, such as S100B, MIA, TA-90IC, 5-S-CD, SPARC, CSPG4, HSP105, IMP3, KIF2A, miR-221, YKL-40, some cancer stem cells (CD133, Nestin, CD166, CD20, CD271) and some monoclonal antibodies (KBA62, PNL2), for malignant melanoma detection, risk stratification and prediction/prognosis. However, all current markers have some shortcomings and thus we expect there will be more novel melanoma biomarkers discovered as supplementary diagnostic criteria in the near future.