Dicer Expression in Melanoma
Author Information
Author(s): Ma Zhihai, Swede Helen, Cassarino David, Fleming Elizabeth, Fire Andrew, Dadras Soheil S.
Primary Institution: Stanford University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Dicer expression is deregulated in skin cancers, particularly in melanoma.
Conclusion
Increased Dicer expression may serve as a clinically useful biomarker for patients with cutaneous melanoma.
Supporting Evidence
- Dicer expression was significantly higher in melanomas compared to benign melanocytic nevi (P<0.0001).
- 81% of cutaneous melanoma specimens showed up-regulated Dicer expression.
- Dicer up-regulation was significantly associated with increased tumor mitotic index and Breslow's depth of invasion.
- Dicer expression significantly correlated with AJCC clinical stage (P=0.009).
- Immunostaining showed Dicer was specifically expressed in melanoma cells and not in carcinoma or sarcoma cells.
Takeaway
Dicer is a protein that helps control gene expression, and its levels are higher in melanoma than in other skin cancers, which might help doctors understand how aggressive the cancer is.
Methodology
The study used immunohistochemistry to compare Dicer expression in 404 skin tumor samples, including various melanoma subtypes.
Limitations
The study had a small patient population with clinical follow-up information (n=19), which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study included 404 patients with various skin tumors, with clinical follow-up data available for 19 patients.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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