Melanoma: Planet Earth

Saleh FH, Crotty KA, Hersey P, Menzies SW, Rahman W. · Department of Human Morphology, Faculty of Medicine, The American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon. FaridS l · J Pathol. · Pubmed #12845635 No free full text.

Abstract: Spontaneous histopathological regression of cancer has been reported. The involvement of the immune system in such regression has been advocated, leading to the theory of immunological surveillance against cancer. A prediction of this theory is that common tumour antigens can be recognized upon repeated exposure by cell-mediated immunity, which leads to tumour regression and the subsequent appearance of tumour antigen-loss variants. However, no direct evidence has been provided in non-viral-induced experimental animal models of primary malignancy or in human primary cancer. This study examined two groups of melanoma patients where histopathological regression of the primary tumour was observed. Many of the 23 patients with multiple (> or =3) primary melanomas showed significant regression of their last melanoma (median 33%, mean 40) compared with matched melanomas from patients with a single primary melanoma (median 0%, mean 12) (p=0.0080), or compared with their first primary melanoma (p=0.0013). Regression was consistent with an 'immunization effect' seen in murine tumour transplantation studies, where inoculation with > or =3 asynchronous tumours induces transplantation rejection on subsequent challenge. A significant decrease in the expression of the melanoma common tumour antigen MART-1 in the last primary tumour from multiple melanoma patients (median 8%, mean 24) versus matched single melanoma patients (median 79%, mean 68) (p=0.0041) and in the last versus first tumour in multiple primary patients was found (p=0.0083). Metastases from 17 patients whose primary skin melanomas had completely regressed (occult primary melanoma) also showed significant MART-1 loss (median 0%, mean 11) compared with matched metastases from patients with non-regressing primary melanoma (median 51%, mean 50) (p=0.0013). MART-1 antigen-loss variants observed in the multiple primary and occult primary patients correlated with the presence of peripheral blood MART-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) (p=0.03). No similar effects were observed with two other melanoma antigens, gp100 and CD63. Thus, in two groups of human melanoma patients, evidence is provided for histopathological tumour regression associated with cancer immune surveillance.

Kawai Y, Takeda A, Gershenwald JE. · Dept. of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA. · Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. · Pubmed #14712780 No free full text.

Abstract: Advances in surgical treatment, including sentinel lymphadenectomy, permit the pathologic staging of regional lymph nodes most likely to contain metastasis by identifying afferent lymphatic channels, which specifically drain the primary tumor site. Recently, a new member of the angiogenic molecule in VEGF family, VEGF-D, has been identified that induces lymphangiogenesis via high-affinity binding to VEGFR-3. VEGF-D is predominantly expressed in lymphatic endothelium. We have previously developed a novel method for the isolation of anatomically-defined lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) from human sentinel lymphatic channel during SLN biopsy. The effect of VEGF-D on the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk)-1/2 and Akt signaling pathway was examined by Western blot analysis. VEGF-D (500 ng/ml) apparently upregulated phospho-p44/phospho-p42 activity in human isolated LECs by Western blot analysis, while phospho-Akt activity was not at all changed by VEGF-D exposure without the change of total p44/p42 and Akt expression. U0126 (20 microM), the MEK1/2 inhibitor, could completely block the VEGF-D induced phospholylation of Erk1/2 signaling pathway. These data demonstrate that VEGF-D induces p44/p42 in human LECs and suggests that this signaling pathway activation may be important in LEC biology and lymphoangiogenesis, which may lead to the progression of new strategies of cancer treatment.

Essner R. · Department of moleculer therapeutics, John Wayne Cancer Institute, 2200, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA. · Cancer Metastasis Rev. · Pubmed #16770538 No free full text.

Abstract: Sentinel lymph nodes are the first nodes to receive lymph from primary tumors and are the preferential site of initial metastases. Sentinel nodes show morphology changes that suggests immune modulation with reduced antigen-presenting dendritic cells, activated T lymphocytes, high endothelial venules and transvenular migration of T lymphocytes. Tumor cells generate down-regulatory molecules. We postulate that tumor-induced immune dysfunction facilitates establishment of nodal metastases. Nodal immune modulation can be reversed by granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF), a finding with implications for future therapy to prevent or reverse these nodal metastases.

Yang R, Yang X, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Wang S, Cai Z, Jia Y, Ma Y, Zheng C, Lu Y, Roden R, Chen Y. · Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. · Gene Ther. · Pubmed #16838032 No free full text.

Abstract: Antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in inducing and regulating immune responses. One effective strategy for DC-based immunotherapy is to regulate maturation and function of DC. In this study, we apply single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) to carry small interfering RNA (siRNA) to reach, enter and genetically modify DCs in vivo. We prepared positively charged SWNTs (SWNTs+) using 1,6-diaminohexane which was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscope. The functionalized SWNTs+ could absorb siRNA to form complexes of siRNA with SWNTs. These siRNA:SWNT+ complexes were preferentially taken up by splenic CD11c+ DCs, CD11b+ cells and also Gr-1+CD11b+ cells comprising DCs, macrophages and other myeloid cells to silence the targeting gene. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) restricts the ability of DCs to break self-tolerance and induce antitumor immunity. Infusion of SWNTs+ carrying SOCS1siRNA reduced SOCS1 expression and retarded the growth of established B16 tumor in mice, indicating the possibility of in vivo immunotherapeutics using SWNTs-based siRNA transfer system.

Korkolis D, Liapakis IE, Gherardini G, Kokkalis G, Vassilopoulos P. · 1st Department of General Surgery, Hellenic Anticancer Institute, Saint Savvas Hospital, Athens, Greece. · J BUON. · Pubmed #17918285 No free full text.

Abstract: Melanoma of the head and neck and its treatment are complex issues. The behavior of head and neck melanoma is aggressive, and it has an overall poorer prognosis than that of other skin sites. Current understanding of the behavior of head and neck melanoma is reviewed and treatment strategies are presented. Controversies in treatment include the role of lymphoscintigraphy with sentinel node biopsy, nodal dissection, margin size, role of radiation therapy, and reconstruction. The therapeutic goal is to treat melanoma aggressively while minimizing the effects of treatment on patient's quality of life. Due to its biological behavior, head and neck melanoma should be treated in an aggressive manner when morbidity is not significantly increased. Patient's specific treatment is imperative.

Li Z, Xia F, Zhang Y. · Department of Histology and Embryology, the Fourth Military Medical University, 17 Changle West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China. · FASEB J. · Pubmed #18198213 links to  free full text

Abstract: The release of regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) from CD8+ lymphocytes has been shown to be dependent on T-cell receptor triggering by major histocompatability complex class I/peptide complex engagement. We characterized the secretion of RANTES by human leukocyte antigen-A2-restricted tyrosinase-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in the context of human melanoma cell killing. CTL contact with tumor cell targets elicited a vectorial release of the chemokine RANTES resulting in the selective deposition of RANTES on target cells but not on nontarget bystander cells or the CTL. RANTES on the surface of apoptotic cells enhanced their phagocytosis by murine macrophages. This effect appeared unique to RANTES as the related chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) -1alpha, MIP-1beta, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 did not significantly affect uptake and were mediated through chemokine receptor CCR1. Oligomerization of RANTES, at least at the level of a tetramer, was required for the enhanced phagocytosis. These results suggest that the role of RANTES in inflammatory disorders might not be restricted to inducing leukocyte infiltration but could also extend to potent macrophage modulation, directly regulating inflammation.

Essner R. · No affiliation provided · Cancer Metastasis Rev. · Pubmed #18773512 No free full text.

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