Abstract
Purpose: :
Uveal melanomas, like other cancers, are the result of multiple aberrations, including activation of dominant oncogenes and upregulation of signal transduction pathways. One signal transducer protein that was originally detected as an oncogene is Vav1, which under physiological conditions is exclusively expressed in the hematopoietic system. Aberrant expression of wild-type Vav1 has recently been associated with both neuroblastoma and pancreatic ductal carcinoma. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine whether Vav1 is ectopically expressed in uveal melanoma.
Methods: :
Histological slides of 14 uveal melanomas, 10 primary tumors and 4 metastatic tumors, were stained by immunohistochemistry with antibodies specific for Vav1. Ten RNA samples of uveal melanomas, 7 primary tumors and 3 metastatic tumors, were evaluated by RT-PCR for expression of Vav1.
Results: :
Eleven of the uveal melanoma slides (9 primary and 2 metastases) were positive for immunostaining with the Vav1 oncogene in tumor cells. Three of the RNA samples were positive for the Vav1 oncogene.
Conclusions: :
Aberrant Vav1 expression is present in uveal melanoma. Given Vav1's known role in other malignancies, our data suggest that Vav1 may potentially be implicated in the pathogenesis of uveal melanoma.
Keywords: tumors • melanoma • signal transduction