Lectin-binding pattern of primary malignant melanomas and melanocytic nevi.

A panel of six biotinylated lectins was applied in order to study the composition and distribution of plasma membrane carbohydrate residues in 83 primary cutaneous melanomas (MMs) and in 85 melanocytic nevi (MN) with the avidin-biotin peroxidase technique. No clear-cut differences between MN and MMs were observed with regard to the staining with lectins. In MN and MMs derived from different patients, the lectin-binding pattern was variable and heterogeneous even within the individual nevi or melanomas. It seems reasonable, therefore, to assume that the lectin-binding pattern cannot be regarded as a reliable histochemical marker for the differentiation of MN from MMs. Moreover, because the pattern reveals no statistically significant correlation with the thickness or the depth of invasion of MM, it seems to lack prognostic significance.