Correlation between MAGE-C1/CT7, MAGE-C2/CT10 and Ki-67 expression in primary melanoma and risk of lymph node metastases.

The expression of MAGE-C1/CT7, MAGE-C2/CT10 and Ki-67 in primary melanoma was determined retrospectively and associated with the presence of SLN metastases. This analysis was performed either separately (univariate analysis) or together (multivariate analysis). The correlation was considered as significant by a p-value ≤0.05. The proportion of SLN metastases is significantly higher in patients with primary melanomas positive for MAGE-C1/CT7 and Ki-67 than in negative ones (univariate analysis). In a multivariate analysis, MAGE-C1/CT7 positivity is an independent predictor of metastasis when adjusted for Ki-67, whereas Ki-67 is not an independent predictor (p = 0.005 and p = 0.29 resp.) (A). The proportion of SLN metastases is significantly higher in patients with primary melanomas positive for MAGE-C2/CT10 (p<0.001); in a multivariate analysis MAGE-C2/CT10 positivity is an independent predictor of metastasis when adjusted for Ki-67, whereas Ki-67 is not an independent predictor (p = 0.01 and p = 0.3 resp.) (B). In a multivariate analysis expression of MAGE-C1/CT7 and MAGE-C2/CT10 remain independent predictors of SLN metastases also if adjusted for each other (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01 resp.) (C).