Blood factors that could predict metastasis in stage 1 and 2 melanoma

This study investigated proteins (blood factors) in patients with early-stage melanoma that identify those at a high risk of experiencing metastasis (cancer spread) after surgery. Researchers suggested that tumor stage and proteins such as vitronectin (VN) and dermcidin (DCD) levels were associated with the metastatic progression of patients with early melanoma.

Like many cancers, an early detection of melanoma is fundamental for a good prognosis. Surgery is the standard treatment for stage 1 and stage 2 melanomas. A significant number of patients may still experience metastasis (spread to other parts of the body) in the follow-up period after surgery. Some proteins are associated with more aggressive tumors, and could be used to predict disease progression in early melanoma patients. 

The objective of this study was to investigate proteins that can be used to predict the risk of developing metastasis in early-stage melanoma.

This study included information from 271 stage 1 and stage 2 melanoma patients who underwent surgery. Patients were followed-up every 3 months during the first 2 years and every 6 months thereafter for a 5-year total follow-up.

Of the 271 patients 67 (24.7%) experienced metastasis during the follow-up period. Early-stage melanoma patients with high levels of VN were 2.8 times more likely to experience metastasis during follow-up.

DCD blood levels were elevated in melanoma patients when compared to the blood of healthy individuals. However, in the early-stage there is a significant decrease of DCD levels in the blood of patients who developed metastasis. Stage 2 melanoma patients with DCD levels lower than 2.9 µg/ml were more likely to have a metastatic progression. 

This study determined that VN and DCD were effective predictive factors for the development of metastasis during follow-up of patients with early melanoma.