Chronically sun-damaged melanomas express low levels of nuclear glutathione-S-transferase-π: an epidemiological and clinicopathological study in Italy

Acta Derm Venereol. 2015 Jan;95(1):40-4. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1821.

Abstract

The detoxifying enzyme glutathione-s-transferase pi (GST-π) is present in keratinocytes and melanocytes and exerts a protective role against tumour progression. Melanomas close to melanocytic naevus remnants occur less frequently on sun-exposed areas, whereas solar dermal elastosis, hallmark of chronic sun-damage, characterise melanomas on sun-exposed skin. We evaluated the expression of GST-π in 113 melanomas associated to melanocytic naevus remnants or to solar dermal elastosis, classified according to clinical characteristics, history of sun exposure, histological subtypes and AJCC staging. Chronically sun-damaged melanomas, identified by moderate-severe solar dermal elastosis, showed a lower nuclear GST-π expression and a higher thickness than those related to melanocytic naevus remnants (p < 0.03). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that male gender and chronic sun-exposure are independent risk factors significantly associated to melanomas localised on the trunk (OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.31-8.65; OR = 5.97, 95% CI: 1.71-20.87). If confirmed on a larger series, lower expression of nuclear GST-π in melanoma cells could represent a possible marker of chronically sun-damaged melanoma pathogenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Biopsy
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Melanoma / enzymology*
  • Melanoma / epidemiology*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / enzymology*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / epidemiology*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / pathology
  • Nevus, Pigmented / enzymology*
  • Nevus, Pigmented / epidemiology*
  • Nevus, Pigmented / pathology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Sunlight / adverse effects*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • GSTP1 protein, human
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi