Metallothionein Overexpression as a Prognostic Factor in Melanoma
Author Information
Author(s): Weinlich G, Eisendle K, Hassler E, Baltaci M, Fritsch P O, Zelger B
Primary Institution: Innsbruck Medical University
Hypothesis
Is metallothionein overexpression a significant prognostic factor for progression and survival in melanoma patients?
Conclusion
Metallothionein overexpression is a highly significant and independent prognostic factor for poor progression and survival in melanoma patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Metallothionein overexpression was found in 24.4% of melanoma patients.
- 70.1% of patients with progression showed metallothionein overexpression.
- 72.7% of patients who died due to melanoma had metallothionein overexpression.
Takeaway
This study found that patients with high levels of a protein called metallothionein in their melanoma are more likely to have their cancer get worse and to die from it.
Methodology
The study followed 1270 melanoma patients and analyzed the relationship between metallothionein overexpression and disease progression and survival using various statistical methods.
Limitations
2116 out of 3386 initially included patients had to be dropped out due to strict inclusion criteria, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study included 1270 melanoma patients, with a nearly balanced gender distribution (51% male, 49% female) and a median age of 54 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 5.2–10.2 for progression; 95% CI 4.7–10.9 for survival
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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