Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
Br J Dermatol. 2011 Sep;165(3):506-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10409.x. Epub 2011 Jul 28.
Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-VIII (MFG-E8) is a secreted protein that binds phosphatidylserine and promotes apoptotic cell ingestion by phagocytes, mediating the immune tolerance and maintenance of homeostasis. A recent study has shown that MFG-E8 expression in human melanoma is increased with tumour progression; however, the effect of its expression on patient survival has not yet been clarified.
To analyse MFG-E8 expression in melanoma, and to determine whether it can serve as a marker for diagnosis, tumour progression and/or prognosis.
MFG-E8 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 60 primary melanomas, 22 metastatic lesions and 30 benign naevi. The following clinicopathological variables were evaluated: age, gender, histological type, tumour site, Breslow thickness, Clark's level, the presence or absence of ulceration and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, and survival periods. Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations and melanoma-specific survival.
MFG-E8 expression was significantly higher in primary and metastatic melanoma than in naevus. Furthermore, it increased according to tumour progression and metastasis. Patients with MFG-E8 expression in primary tumours had significantly shorter survival periods than those without MFG-E8 expression. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that MFG-E8 expression was a statistically significant and independent prognostic factor.
MFG-E8 expression may serve as a tumour progression marker and can predict an unfavourable prognosis in patients with melanoma.
牛奶脂肪球表皮生长因子-VIII（MFG-E8）是一种分泌蛋白，可与磷脂酰丝氨酸结合并促进吞噬细胞摄取凋亡细胞，介导免疫耐受和维持体内平衡。最近的一项研究表明，人黑色素瘤中 MFG-E8 的表达随着肿瘤的进展而增加；然而，其表达对患者生存的影响尚未阐明。
分析黑色素瘤中 MFG-E8 的表达情况，并确定其是否可作为诊断、肿瘤进展和/或预后的标志物。
采用免疫组织化学法检测 60 例原发性黑素瘤、22 例转移性病变和 30 例良性痣中 MFG-E8 的表达。评估了以下临床病理变量：年龄、性别、组织学类型、肿瘤部位、Breslow 厚度、Clark 水平、溃疡和肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞的存在与否以及生存时间。进行统计学分析以评估相关性和黑色素瘤特异性生存。
MFG-E8 在原发性和转移性黑色素瘤中的表达明显高于痣。此外，它随着肿瘤的进展和转移而增加。在原发性肿瘤中表达 MFG-E8 的患者的生存时间明显短于不表达 MFG-E8 的患者。单因素和多因素分析表明，MFG-E8 表达是一个具有统计学意义和独立的预后因素。
MFG-E8 的表达可能是肿瘤进展的标志物，并可预测黑色素瘤患者预后不良。
