Fascin-1 expression in canine cutaneous and oral melanocytic tumours

• Published in: Veterinary & comparative oncology Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 303 - 311
• Main Authors: Yamada, N., Mori, T., Murakami, M., Noguchi, S., Sakai, H., Akao, Y., Maruo, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; canine; Dog Diseases - metabolism; Dogs; fascin-1; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - physiology; immunohistochemistry; invasion; melanoma; Melanoma - classification; Melanoma - metabolism; Melanoma - veterinary; metastasis; Microfilament Proteins - genetics; Microfilament Proteins - metabolism; Mouth Neoplasms - metabolism; Mouth Neoplasms - veterinary; Retrospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms - metabolism; Skin Neoplasms - veterinary
• ISSN: 1476-5810; 1476-5829
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5829.2011.00300.x

Fascin‐1 expression was examined in 9 cutaneous melanocytomas and 47 oral melanomas. The cases were scored on the basis of extent and intensity of staining, and combined scores were calculated. Fascin‐1 expression was observed in 5/9 (56%) melanocytomas and 46/47 (98%) melanomas. The combined score for fascin‐1 was significantly greater in stage III/IV melanomas than in stage I/II melanomas (P < 0.05). In addition, strong fascin‐1 staining was associated with a significantly shortened survival time (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that fascin‐1 overexpression correlates with the malignancy of canine melanoma and has the potential to be a new immunohistochemical marker to predict the clinical course of canine melanoma. In addition, targeted therapy for fascin‐1 may represent a new strategy for the treatment of canine melanoma.