Evaluation of Clinical and Immunohistochemical Factors Relating to Melanoma Metastasis: Potential Roles of Nestin and Fascin in Melanoma

Abstract

For melanoma treatment, an early diagnosis and a complete resection of the primary tumor is essential. In addition, detection of factors that may be related to metastasis is indispensable. A total of 30 Japanese patients with Stage I or II melanoma, diagnosed according to the classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, are included in this study. Clinical background (sex, onset age, primary tumor area, existence of remaining cancer cells at the resected tissue margin, and treatment after the primary surgery) and immunohistochemical staining (Nestin and Fascin) on the resected tissue were examined to detect factors statistically related to metastasis. The analysis result has shown that older onset age and positive immunohistochemical expressions of Nestin and Fascin are statistically related to metastasis. To facilitate meticulous observation of Nestin and Fascin expression at different timing (e.g., onset and metastasis), double immunofluorescence staining was performed. Nestin is a class VI intermediate filament protein, initially detected in neural stem cells. Fascin is an actin-bundling protein which regulates cell adhesion, migration and invasion. Nestin and Fascin are suggested to relate to melanoma metastasis, however, the potential role of Fascin is controversial. Analysis of variations in Fascin expression detected in this study may contribute to further investigations concerning potential roles of Fascin for progression of melanoma. This is the first study to report double immunofluorescent staining of Nestin and Fascin in melanoma. Nestin and Fascin double-positive melanoma cells were detected.

Downregulation of fascin induces collective cell migration in triple‑negative breast cancer

“…Another set of 17 consecutive tissue samples from patients without metastasis or recurrence underwent the same procedure as a control group. To evaluate immunohistochemical expression of fascin, the Allred scoring system was used ( 13 , 14 ). Briefly, the proportion of stained cells was categorized as negative (0), <1 ( 1 ), 1–10 ( 2 ), 11–33 ( 3 ), 34–66 ( 4 ) and >66% ( 5 ) positive.…”

“…To evaluate immunohistochemical expression of fascin, the Allred scoring system was used (13,14). Briefly, the proportion of stained cells was categorized as negative (0), <1 (1), 1-10 (2), 11-33 (3), 34-66 (4) and >66% (5) positive.…”

“…Fascin, an actin-bundling protein, serves a significant role in the regulation of cell adhesion, migration, and invasion (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Fascin is strongly upregulated in several types of human carcinoma and sarcoma (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)14).…”

“…Fascin, an actin-bundling protein, serves a significant role in the regulation of cell adhesion, migration, and invasion (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Fascin is strongly upregulated in several types of human carcinoma and sarcoma (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)14). Fascin overexpression is associated with higher grade of BC and its expression commonly predicts an aggressive clinical course in patients (7,10,13,16,17).…”