Prognostic immunohistochemical markers of primary human melanomas.

Abstract

Several clinical and histological factors of primary melanomas comprise a relatively large quantity of prognostic information. To find immunohistochemical markers that can improve the prognostic accuracy achieved by factors that are available without extra laboratory work, i.e. mitotic rate, tumour thickness, ulceration, localization, gender and age. Immunohistochemical markers were determined on frozen sections. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed after 5-10 years follow-up. Seven immunohistochemical markers were related to disease-free and overall survival in univariate Cox regression analysis: Ki-67, human leucocyte antigen (HLA) -DQ, HLA-DP, Muc 18, A-10-33, transferrin receptor, and H-2-8-10. Only Ki-67 (n = 399) and HLA-DQ (n = 452) retained prognostic significance when evaluated in multivariate analyses in several models together with tumour thickness alone and with tumour thickness, gender, mitotic rate, age, localization and ulceration. Ki-67 and HLA-DQ may be useful for risk assessments in primary melanomas.