Upregulation of rack-1 in melanoma and its use as a marker

Abstract

The present invention concerns a method for diagnosing a melanoma in a mammal comprising the detection of the overexpression of RACK-1 protein in a melanocytic cell of said mammal, and the deduction of the presence of a melanoma from the overexpression of RACK-1 protein. The invention is also directed to a method for determining the tumoral status of a melanocytic cell of a mammal, comprising the detection of overexpression of RACK-1 protein in the melanocytic cell, and the deduction of the tumoral state of said cell from the overexpression of RACK-1 protein.

Description

[0001]Throughout this specification and experimental part, reference is made to different publications. These publications are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is in the domain of cancer; it relates to a method for diagnosing a cancer in a mammal.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Melanoma is a malignant tumor developing by transformation of melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment melanin that colors skin, hair, and eyes and is heavily concentrated in most moles. The majority of melanomas, therefore, are black or brown. However, melanomas occasionally stop producing pigment. When that happens, the melanomas may no longer be dark, but are skin-colored, pink, red or purple.[0004]Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. Its incidence and mortality rates in fair-skinned populations increase worldwide. While it is not the most common of the skin cancers, it causes the most deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods for detecting the tumoral status of a melanocytic mammalian cell and diagnosing melanoma in a mammal. The methods involve detecting overexpression of RACK-1 protein in a melanocytic cell, which indicates that the cell is tumoral and that the mammal presents a melanoma. The level of RACK-1 protein expression can be compared with a reference level, and the presence of melanocytic cells exhibiting RACK-1 protein expression is indicative of a melanoma. The invention also relates to a kit for diagnosing melanoma in a mammal and the use of RACK-1 protein as a marker of tumoral melanocytes.

Problems solved by technology

However, melanomas occasionally stop producing pigment.

While it is not the most common of the skin cancers, it causes the most deaths.

The presence of the two types of moles, normal moles and atypical moles, known as dysplastic naevi, are indicative of an increased risk of melanoma.

Presence of metastases carries a severe prognosis due to ineffective response to treatments.

However, they can invade local tissue and can cause lameness as well as neurological problems by invading the central nervous system.

Even the benign forms of cutaneous tumors can be locally invasive.

Melanomas can metastasize (spread) to any area of the body especially the lymph nodes and lungs and present very challenging and dangerous prospects for the dog.

Diagnosis of melanoma is thus also problematic from a veterinary point of view.

But if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal.

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