Expression of the Metastasis Suppressor KAI1 in Uveal Melanoma

Abstract EN

Introduction.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular tumor that leads to metastatic disease in approximately 50% of afflicted patients.

There is no efficacious treatment for metastatic disease in this cancer.

Identification of markers that can offer prognostic and therapeutic value is a major focus in this field at present.

KAI1 is a metastasis suppressor gene that has been reported to play a role in various human malignancies, although it has not previously been evaluated in UM.

Purpose.

To investigate the expression of KAI1 in UM and its potential value as a prognostic marker.

Materials and Methods.

18 cases of human primary UM were collected and immunostained for KAI1 expression.

A pathologist evaluated staining intensity and distribution semiquantitatively.

Each case was categorized as group 1 (low staining) or group 2 (high staining).

Results.

In group 2, two of the 12 cases presented with metastasis.

Conversely, in group 1, five out of 6 cases had metastasis.

The mean follow-up of patients who did not develop metastasis was 81.81 months (median: 75 months) versus 42.14 months (median: 44 months) for patients with metastasis.

Conclusions.

KAI1 is a promising candidate marker that may offer prognostic value in UM; it may also represent a therapeutic target in metastatic disease.