U.S. patent application number 13/005127 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for detection of micro metastasis of melanoma and breast cancer in paraffin-embedded tumor draining lymph nodes by multimarker quantitative rt-pcr.
This patent application is currently assigned to JOHN WAYNE CANCER INSTITUTE. Invention is credited to Dave S. B. Hoon, Hiroya Takeuchi.
Application Number | 20110207136 13/005127 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32326322 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110207136 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoon; Dave S. B. ; et
al. |
August 25, 2011 |
Detection of Micro Metastasis of Melanoma and Breast Cancer in
Paraffin-Embedded Tumor Draining Lymph Nodes by Multimarker
Quantitative RT-PCR
Abstract
The invention provides a quantitative realtime RT-PCR assay for
detection of metastatic breast, gastric, pancreas or colon cancer
cells or metastatic melanoma. The assay allows to predict disease
recurrence and survival in patients with AJCC stage I and II, and
III disease using multimarker panels. The method for detecting
metastatic melanoma cells utilizes panels of markers selected from
a group consisting of MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, MART-1, PAX3, Mitf, TRP-2,
and Tyrosinase. The method for detecting metastatic breast,
gastric, pancreas or colon cancer cells in paraffin-embedded
samples utilizes panels of markers selected from a group consisting
of C-Met, MAGE-A3, Stanniocalcin-1, mammoglobin, HSP27, GalNAcT,
CK20, and .beta.-HCG.
Inventors: |
Hoon; Dave S. B.; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Takeuchi; Hiroya; (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
JOHN WAYNE CANCER INSTITUTE
Santa Monica
CA
|
Family ID: |
32326322 |
Appl. No.: |
13/005127 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10713808 |
Nov 14, 2003 |
7910295 |
|
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13005127 |
|
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60426216 |
Nov 14, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
435/6.12 ;
435/6.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12Q 1/6886 20130101;
C12Q 2600/112 20130101; C12Q 2600/118 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/6.12 ;
435/6.14 |
International
Class: |
C12Q 1/68 20060101
C12Q001/68 |
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A method of detecting metastatic melanoma cells in a patient
comprising: (a) receiving a biological sample from the patient; (b)
amplifying mRNA transcripts encoded by a panel of marker genes, the
panel of marker genes comprising GalNAcT and PAX3 marker genes, the
mRNA transcripts being obtained from nucleic acid from the
biological sample; and (c) quantifying each of the mRNA transcripts
encoded by the GalNAcT and PAX3 marker genes such that detection of
GalNAcT and PAX3 indicates the presence of occult melanoma in the
patient.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the panel further comprises
marker genes selected from a group consisting of MAGE-A3, MART-1,
MITF, TRP-2 and Tyrosinase.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein the panel of marker genes
further comprises MAGE-A3.
30. The method of claim 27 wherein the panel of marker genes
further comprises MART-1.
31. The method of claim 27 wherein the mRNA transcripts are
amplified using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
reaction (qRT-PCR).
32. The method of claim 27 wherein the biological sample is
selected from a group consisting of paraffin-embedded (PE) melanoma
tissues, frozen lymph nodes, and PE lymph nodes.
33. The method of claim 27 wherein the biological sample is
histopathologically negative for melanoma cells.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein histopathology of the biological
sample is determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining or
immunohistochemistry.
35. A method of detecting metastatic melanoma cells in a patient
comprising: (a) receiving a biological sample from the patient; (b)
amplifying mRNA transcripts encoded by a panel of marker genes, the
panel of marker genes comprising GalNAcT, MAGE-3, and PAX3 marker
genes, the mRNA transcripts being obtained from nucleic acid from
the biological sample; and (c) quantifying each of the mRNA
transcripts encoded by the GalNAcT, MAGE-3, and PAX3 marker genes
such that detection GalNAcT and PAX3 indicates the presence of
occult melanoma in the patient.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the panel further comprises
marker genes selected from a group consisting of MART-1, MITF,
TRP-2 and Tyrosinase.
37. The method of claim 35 wherein the panel of marker genes
further comprises MART-1.
38. The method of claim 35 wherein the mRNA transcripts are
amplified using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
reaction (qRT-PCR).
39. The method of claim 35 wherein the biological sample is
selected from a group consisting of paraffin-embedded (PE) melanoma
tissues, frozen lymph nodes, and PE lymph nodes.
40. The method of claim 35 wherein the biological sample is
histopathologically negative for melanoma cells.
41. The method of claim 40 wherein histopathology of the biological
sample is determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining or
immunohistochemistry.
42. A method of detecting metastatic breast, gastric, pancreas or
colon cancer cells in a patient comprising: (a) isolating nucleic
acid from a histopathologically negative sample from the patient;
(b) amplifying mRNA transcripts encoded by a panel of marker genes,
the panel of marker genes comprising at least one marker gene
selected from a group consisting of C-Met, MAGE-A3,
Stanniocalcin-1, mammoglobin, HSP27, GalNAcT, CK20 and .beta.-HCG;
and (c) detecting the presence or absence of the marker gene
wherein the presence of the marker gene indicates occult
disease.
43. The method of claim 42 wherein the panel comprises a first
combination of C-Met, MAGE-A3, GalNAcT and CK20; a second
combination of mammoglobulin, C-Met, GalNAcT, and .beta.-HCG; a
third combination of mammoglobulin, .beta.-HCG, HSP27, and C-Met;
or a fourth combination of HSP27, CK20, Stanniocalcin-1, and
MAGE-A3.
44. The method of claim 42 wherein the nucleic acid is mRNA and
mRNA transcripts are amplified using qRT-PCR.
45. The method of claim 42 wherein histopathology of the sample is
determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining or
immunohistochemistry.
Description
[0001] This invention claims priority to the U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/426,216 filed Nov. 14, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to methods of detection of
micro metastasis in lymph nodes and methods of predicting the
recurrence of the disease and survival. More specifically, the
invention is directed to detection of micro metastasis in cancerous
tissue and lymph nodes by using multimarker real-time reverse
transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] The incidence of malignant melanoma has been increasing in
the United States over the past decade (Balch, C. M., 2001; Jemal,
A. J., 2002; and Rigel, D. S., 1996). Breast cancer is another
common form of malignant disease whose incidence is increasing. One
of the most devastating aspects of cancer is the propensity of
cells from malignant neoplasms to disseminate from their primary
site to distant organs and develop into metastases. Despite
advances in surgical treatment of primary neoplasms and aggressive
therapies, most cancer patients die as a result of metastatic
disease.
[0004] Cancers are staged according to a well-defined, elaborate
progressive scale, developed by the American Joint Committee on
Cancer (AJCC). Caught early, cancer is very often curable. The
five-year survival rate varies considerably depending on the AJCC
stage level. For example, for Stage I and Stage 11 melanoma, the
five-year survival rate is over 80%. However, for Stage 1V the
survival rate is less that 20% (AJCC). Similarly, the overall
five-year breast cancer survival rate is about 75 percent for white
women and about 63 percent for black women. This rate rises to
nearly 90 percent for women with Stage I or II cancer (U.S. Pat.
No. 6,057,105, which is incorporated herein by the reference).
Therefore, accurate determination of an AJCC stage is extremely
important for selecting patients for adjuvant therapies and for
directing follow-up procedures.
[0005] Until recently, a complete dissection of regional lymph
nodes was performed to obtain nodal staging information. All lymph
nodes of the lymphatic drainage basin were removed for pathology
examination for the presence of micrometastases (Balch, C. M.,
1996; Cascinelli, N., 1998; Li, W., 1999). However, such approach
is labor-intensive. Also, about 80% of patients who undergo
elective lymph node dissection have no evidence of metastases and
do not benefit from this procedure.
[0006] John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI) has pioneered an
alternative sentinel lymphadenectomy (SLND) technique for the
treatment of early stage melanoma (Morton, D. L., 1992; Morton, D.
L., 1993; Morton, D. L., 1999). Sentinel lymph node (SLN) is
defined as the first lymph node in the regional lymphatic basin
that drains the primary tumor. Several reports have confirmed that
the SLN is the first node that receives metastatic melanoma cells
and that the SLN reflects the metastatic status of the entire
lymphatic basin (Morton, D. L., 1992; Li, W., 1999). Conceptually,
a tumor-negative SLN predicts the absence of tumor metastases in
the other regional lymph nodes (non-SLN) with a high degree of
accuracy. Typically, the probability of non-SLN in the draining
lymphatic basin containing melanoma cells is less than 1% when the
SLN does not have metastatic melanoma cells (Morton, D. L., 1992).
Thus, in the case of a tumor-negative SLN, this method allows to
avoid complete lymph node dissection and various postoperative
complications associated with such procedure.
[0007] Standard procedure for the histopathologic examination of
regional lymph nodes utilizes hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)
staining. But this procedure often underestimates the presence of
micrometastatic disease. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining with
HMB-45 and S-100 antibodies can increase the sensitivity of
detecting melanoma cells in lymph nodes tenfold over H&E
staining alone (Bostick, P. J., 1999; Cochran, A. J., 1984;
Shivers, S. C., 1998; Li, W., 1999).
[0008] Development of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR) assays and gene markers for different tumor
types, such as tyrosinase for melanoma, made it possible to detect
occult metastases in lymph nodes of cancer patients whose disease
was not found by either H&E or IHC techniques (Li, W., 2000).
Despite initially encouraging results, the clinical and survival
significance of these occult metastases detected by RT-PCR assays
has not been demonstrated conclusively. Furthermore, conventional
single mRNA marker RT-PCR assays are limited in their ability to
discriminate cancer cells from normal cells that also carry the
marker and, thus, these methods suffer from reduced specificity and
reliability. In addition, tumor heterogeneity has caused
sensitivity problems where a single mRNA marker was
employed--although all tumor cells within a primary tumor or
metastasis may express the same marker gene, the level of specific
mRNA expression can vary considerably. Thus, despite the
identification of melanoma and breast cancer markers, these markers
cannot individually detect tumor cells in a highly specific and
sensitive manner (U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,105).
[0009] A multimarker RT-PCR assay eliminates some of the problems
associated with single-marker detection techniques. To date,
several multiple-mRNA marker (MM) RT-PCR assays have been developed
for detecting occult metastatic melanoma cells in blood, bone
marrow, or lymph nodes (Taback, B., 2001; Sarantou, T., 1997;
Bostick, P. J., 1999; Hoon, D. S. B., 2000; Miyashiro, I.,
2001).
[0010] For example, a marker combination of tyrosinase and
melanoma-associated antigens MART-1 and MAGE-A3 have been used to
detect occult melanoma cells in frozen sections of SLNs (Bostick,
P. J., 1999). Although this study reported a great improvement of
detection sensitivity compared to H&E staining and IHC, the
study did not determine clinicopathologic importance of the
detection. Also, since the study limited the follow-up period to 12
months and recurrence of melanoma, typically, takes 3-8 years, it
failed to establish an ability of the selected markers to predict
disease recurrence and patient's overall survival.
[0011] A panel of three tumor mRNA markers, beta-chain human
chorionic gonadotropin (.beta.-hCG), hepatocyte growth factor
(C-Met), and universal MAGE (uMAGE) was used in a combination with
RT-PCR to detect nodal micrometastases of colorectal cancer. But
the study did not establish the prognostic significance of the
method (Bilchik, A. J., 2000).
[0012] The U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,105 describes an RT-PCR method of
detecting metastatic melanoma cells with a set of melanoma marker
genes, including tyrisonase, MART-1, tyrosinase related protein-1
(TRP-1), and MAGE-A3. The patent also describes an RT-PCR method of
detecting breast cancer cells with a set of marker genes, including
C-Met, glycosyltransferase .beta.-1,4-N-
acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAcT), .beta.-hCG, MAGE-A3,
MAGE-2, and Cytokeratin-20 (CK20). Although the methods of the U.S.
Pat. No. 6,057,105 are more sensitive than RT-PCR with a single
marker, they fail to predict a long-term (at least 3 years) disease
recurrence and survival.
[0013] The U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,129 describes an RT-PCR method of
detecting metastatic breast cancer cells with a set of marker
genes, including c-Myc, PIP, and keratin-19. This patent utilizes
regression analysis to determine a correlation between number of
positive RT-PCR markers and predicted survival per AJCC stage.
However, similarly to the U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,105, the U.S. Pat.
No. 6,037,129 does not conduct a retrospective long-term (greater
than 5 years) analysis of the samples and, thus, does not evaluate
prognostic significance of the selected markers. Also, the selected
set of the markers has a limited utility as it produced a large
number (40%) of false positive results.
[0014] In summary, none of the currently available methods provides
a reliable prediction of disease recurrence, patient's prognosis
and survival, particularly in AJCC stage I, II and III
patients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In view of the described shortcomings of the existing
methods for detection metastatic cancer cells, it is one object of
the present invention to provide high sensitivity methods for
detection of metastatic melanoma, breast cancer, gastric cancer,
pancreas cancer, or colon cancer cells. It is another object of the
present invention to provide a method for predicting disease
recurrence within at least three-year period, preferably at least
five-year period, following removal of the primary melanoma and
SLND. It is also an object of the present invention to identify a
panel of molecular markers that can detect micrometastasis in tumor
draining lymph nodes (TDLN) and sentinel lymph node (SLN). It is
also an object of the present invention to provide methods for
identification of metastasis in TDLN/SLN that are
histopathologically negative as determined by H&E staining and
IHC.
[0016] These and other objects are achieved in a method of
detecting metastatic melanoma cells in a patient. The method
comprises (a) isolating nucleic acid from a biological sample
obtained from the patient; (b) amplifying nucleic acid targets, if
present, from a panel of marker genes, wherein the panel comprises
GalNAcT, a transcription factor PAX3, or both; and (c) detecting
the presence or absence of the nucleic acid targets. The panel may
further comprise markers selected from a group consisting of
MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, MART-1, PAX3, MITF, TRP-2, and Tyrosinase.
[0017] In one embodiment the panel comprises MAGE-A3, GalNAcT,
MART-1, and PAX3. In another embodiment the panel comprises MART-1,
GalNAcT, MITF, and PAX3. In further embodiment the panel comprises
MART-1, TRP-2, GalNAcT, and PAX3. In still another embodiment the
panel comprises Tyrosinase, MART-1, GalNAcT, and PAX3. MART-1 is a
melanoma antigen on melanosomes; GalNAcT is a glycosysltransferase
for synthesis of gangliosides GM2 and GD2; Tyrosinase is a
melanogenesis pathway enzyme to make melanin; Tyrosinase-related
protein-2 (TRP-2) is a melanogenesis pathway enzyme. MITF and PAX3
are transcription factors.
[0018] In one embodiment, the panel of mRNA markers is used in a
combination with RealTime RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. The nucleic acid
may be isolated from paraffin-embedded (PE) melanoma tissues,
frozen lymph nodes, and PE lymph nodes. Prior to the present
invention there had been no evidence in the art that the described
panels of markers are useful for predicting disease outcome.
[0019] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
of detecting metastatic breast, gastric, pancreas or colon cancer
cells in a patient. The method comprises (a) isolating nucleic acid
from PE cancerous tissues or PE lymph nodes of the patient; (b)
amplifying nucleic acid targets, if present, from a panel of marker
genes selected from a group consisting of C-Met, MAGE-A3,
Stanniocalcin-1, mammoglobin, heat shock protein 27 (HSP27),
GalNAcT, cytokeratin 20 (CK20), and beta chain-human chorionic
gonadotrophin (.beta.-HCG); and (c) detecting the presence or
absence of the nucleic acid targets. In one embodiment, the panel
of mRNA markers is used in a combination with RealTime RT-PCR
(qRT-PCR) assay. Prior to the present invention there had been no
evidence in the art that the described panels of markers when used
to amplify nucleic acid isolated from PE cancerous tissues or PE
lymph nodes are useful for predicting disease outcome.
[0020] The methods of the present invention are rapid, repeatable
and quantitative. They were validated using 215 melanoma patients
in retrospective analysis with greater than 5 years follow up,
which is a minimum amount of follow up needed to verify the
prognostic significance of disease outcome in early stage
patients.
[0021] In a different aspect, the present invention provides a kit
for use in detecting melanoma cells in a biological sample. The kit
comprises pairs of primers for amplifying nucleic acids targets
from a panel of marker genes, wherein the panel comprises GalNAcT,
PAX3, or both, and containers for each of the pairs of primers.
[0022] The present invention provides a number of unexpected
advantages. First, it allows to determine stages of the cancers
more accurately as compared to the existing methods. The methods
and kit of the present invention allow accurate determination of a
need for further lymph node removal surgery and/or adjuvant
treatment. Second, the present invention demonstrates the better
reliability of molecular marker panels of the present invention in
prediction of the disease outcome and recurrence as compared to
conventional prognostic factors such as age, gender, Breslow
thickness, Clark level, site, ulceration. The panels of the present
invention provide an accurate prediction of disease recurrence in
histopathology negative SLN (p<0.0001) and survival
(p<0.0001). The methods of the present invention diagnose
metastasis in SLN with high sensitivity and specificity.
[0023] The invention is defined in the appended claims and is
described below in its preferred embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] The above-mentioned and other features of this invention and
the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent, and will be
best understood by reference to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict
only a typical embodiment of the invention and do not therefore
limit its scope. They serve to add specificity and detail.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows representative quantitative RealTime RT-PCR
(qRT-PCR) analysis for MART-1 mRNA copy levels. FIG. 1A depicts
signal increase of the serially diluted plasmid containing MART-1
cDNA (10.sup.1 to 10.sup.8 copies) standard templates with the
increase of the number of PCR cycles. RFU is relative Fluorescence
unit. FIG. 1B shows the standard curve (correlation coefficient
0.998) generated by using the threshold cycle (Ct) of templates
with known numbers of copies. Symbol .smallcircle. indicates
standards.
[0026] FIG. 2 provide receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
curves for mRNA tumor markers.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the disease free survival (DFS) rate for
patients with histopathologically positive and negative SLNs.
[0028] FIG. 4A shows DFS rate for melanoma patients with
histopathologically negative SLNs with no mRNA markers expressed
and with one or more mRNA markers expressed in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention, in which of MART-1, MAGE-A3,
GalNAcT, and PAX3 markers were utilized.
[0029] FIG. 4B shows DFS rate for melanoma patients with
histopathologically negative SLNs with no mRNA markers expressed
and with one, two or three mRNA markers expressed in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention, in which of MART-1,
MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, and PAX3 markers were utilized.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows DFS rate in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention, in which of MART-1, MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, and
PAX3 markers were utilized. The graph shows DFS rate for patients
with histopathologically negative SLNs; DFS for patients with no
mRNA markers expressed; and DFS for patients with one or more mRNA
expressed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The present invention provides highly sensitive, multimarker
methods to detect melanoma, breast, gastric, pancreas or colon
cancer cells in SLNs of patients with or without clinical evidence
of disease. The methods of the present invention are designed to
overcome limitations in existing technologies with respect to
sensitivity, specificity, and ability to predict outcome of the
disease.
[0032] Recent studies have indicated that patients with
histopathologically melanoma-free SLNs, who are positive for two or
more mRNA markers as determined by RT-PCR, were at a significantly
increased risk of recurrence compared with those who were positive
for one or fewer mRNA markers (Bostick, P. J., 1999). However,
because frozen tissue sections were used for these MM RT-PCR
assays, a large number of SLN samples could not be assessed and
large-scale retrospective analysis with a follow up of greater than
three years could not be conducted. Accordingly, patient's survival
under long term follow-up period could not be analyzed.
[0033] The instant invention solved this problem by utilizing
paraffin-embedded (PE) specimens for MM RT-PCR assays to assess
much larger patient population of SLN samples and analyze patient's
longer follow-up survival data and to determine the significance of
detection of molecular metastasis. One major advantage of the PE
qRT-PCR assay is that retrospective analysis of specimens from
multiple sources can be assessed and evaluated for
clinicopathological utility.
[0034] Until recently, it was believed that mRNA cannot be
preserved in PE tissues due to degeneration. It was also believed
to be difficult to isolate mRNA from PE tissues for PCR analysis
(Masuda, N., 1999; Shirota, Y., 2001). However, some recent
investigations have proved the utility of RT-PCR assays using mRNA
isolated from PE specimens (Masuda, N., 1999; Shirota, Y., 2001;
Specht, K., 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,535; U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,670,
all of which are incorporated herein by the reference).
Additionally, the use of PE samples facilitates correlation of
histopathological and RT-PCR data. This is because most of
histopathological samples are prepared as formalin fixed and
paraffin. These samples are retained in archival storage of a large
number of pathology departments, along with their clinical
histories and prognoses (U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,535; Masuda, N.,
1999). Frozen sections are rarely, if ever, used for histopathology
analysis. Additionally, frozen sections are logistically difficult
to obtain and assess by RT-PCR.
[0035] In addition, recent development of RealTime RT-PCR (qRT-PCR)
assay allows the rapid and reproducible quantitative analysis with
high sensitivity and specificity. It is a high-throughput
technology based on an online fluorescence detection system that
allows sensitive detection and quantitation of gene expression
(Shirota, Y., 2001). But even with these significant developments
in the art, inability to predict recurrence of cancer after removal
of the primary tumor remains to be a major problem.
[0036] In summary, the multi-marker panels of prior art, such as
those of the U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,105, do not have a significant
predictive power in disease recurrence. The marker panels of prior
art that were created for frozen sections would not be predictive
in PE samples. Earlier studies had at the most a twenty-month
follow-up (Li, W., 2000) and could not evaluate the predictive
power of markers for disease recurrence, which takes 3-8 years.
Additionally, many of the markers utilized in earlier MM RT-PCRs
were producing false-positive results (Li, W., 2000, U.S. Pat. No.
6,037,129).
[0037] The present invention solves these problems by providing a
method of detecting metastatic melanoma cells in a patient. The
method comprises (a) isolating nucleic acid from a biological
sample of the patient; (b) amplifying nucleic acid targets, if
present, from a panel of marker genes, wherein the panel comprises
GalNAcT, PAX3, or both; and (c) detecting the presence or absence
of the nucleic acid targets. The biological sample may be selected
from a group consisting of PE melanoma tissues, frozen lymph nodes,
and PE lymph nodes. The biological sample may be
histopathologically negative or positive for melanoma cells.
Typically, the histopathology of the biological sample is
determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining or
immunohistochemistry. However, other suitable methods can also be
used.
[0038] The present invention unexpectedly demonstrates that GalNAcT
and PAX3 are new promising molecular marker for detecting occult
melanoma cells. By using a large well-defined patient population
with a significant clinical follow up, the present invention
unexpectedly demonstrated that the quantitative detection of these
mRNA markers in SLNs in the patients with early-stage melanoma has
clinicopathological and prognostic utilities.
[0039] GalNAcT is a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of
gangliosides GM2/GD2, which are oncofetal glycolipids found
elevated in expression on the surface of melanomas (Hoon, D. S.,
1991; Tai, T., 1983). In melanoma, gangliosides GM2 and GD2
expression, are often enhanced to very high levels and associated
with tumor progression including metastatic tumors. Gangliosides
are also highly expressed in breast cancer cells. The gangliosides
GM2 and GD2 are immunogenic in humans and can be used as a target
for specific immunotherapy such as human monoclonal antibodies or
cancer vaccines (U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,105).
[0040] PAX3 transcription factor has been reported to regulate
melanin synthetic pathway via MITF expression (Goding, C. R.,
2000). PAX3 is well expressed in human melanomas and contributes to
melanoma cell survival (Goding, C. R., 2000; Scholl, F A., 2001).
Recent studies have suggested the clinical usefulness of PAX3 gene
expression as specific markers for detecting melanoma cells
(Scholl, F. A., 2001).
[0041] In another embodiment of the present invention, the panel of
markers may further comprise markers selected from a group
consisting of MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, MART-1, PAX3, MITF, TRP-2, and
Tyrosinase. MART-1 and MAGE-A3 are major melanocyte differentiation
antigens that are immunogenic in patients and well expressed in
melanoma (Kawakami, Y., 1994; Kawakami, Y., 1994; Marincola, F. M.,
2000; Schultz, E. S., 2000). MAGE-A3 has high specificity and
expression in melanoma cells (Sarantou, T., 1997; Miyashiro, I.,
2001). Clinical utilities of assessing MAGE-A3 mRNA expression in
primary tumor, metastatic lesion, and blood in melanoma patients
have been previously reported (Miyashiro, I., 2001). Tyrosinase is
a melanogenesis pathway enzyme to make melanin; Tyrosinase-related
protein-2 (TRP-2) is a melanogenesis pathway enzyme. MITF is a
transcription factor.
[0042] In one embodiment the panel comprises MAGE-A3, GalNAcT,
MART-1, and PAX3. In another embodiment the panel comprises MART-1,
GalNAcT, MITF, and PAX3. In further embodiment the panel comprises
MART-1, TRP-2, GalNAcT, and PAX3. In still another embodiment the
panel comprises Tyrosinase, MART-1, GalNAcT, and PAX3.
[0043] In one embodiment, mRNA expression levels of MART-1,
MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, and PAX3 in PE SLNs were analyzed retrospectively
using a qRT-PCR assay in 215 patients with early-stage melanoma.
The study demonstrated the reliability of qRT-PCR assays with the
selected panel of markers and using PE tissues of the large number
(n=215) of patients with at least 5 yr follow-up after SLND.
Previous research by the inventors has revealed that patients with
histopathologically melanoma-free SLNs who were MM RT-PCR positive
were at significantly increased risk of recurrence compared with
those who were negative for mRNA markers (Bostick, P. J., 1999).
However, the previous studies using frozen SLNs did not demonstrate
the clinical usefulness of the assays and the selected marker sets
because of the limitation of the number of patients and a shorter
follow-up period after SLND.
[0044] The four mRNA markers of this embodiment are specific for
and frequently found in melanomas (Sarantou, T., 1997; Miyashiro,
I., 2001; Kawakami, Y., 1994; Kawakami, Y., 1994; Marincola, F. M.,
2000; Schultz, E. S., 2000; Hoon, D. S., 1991; Tai, T., 1983; Kuo,
C. T., 1998; Goding, C. R., 2000; Scholl, F. A., 2001). All four of
the mRNA markers were expressed in 100% of melanoma cell lines.
However, the mRNA copy number for individual markers vary in
individual cell lines. Also, the mRNA copy levels in histopathology
positive PE SLNs are not expressed in 100% but vary in individual
SLNs. The results are due to not only the heterogeneity in
individual tumor tissues but also the portion of micrometastases
which have completely removed from the PE-block in some cases at
the time of pathological examination (H&E and IHC), and also
the quantity of the amount of mRNA for each sample.
[0045] In this embodiment of the present invention, at least one
positive marker was identified in 89% of histopathologically
positive SLNs demonstrating the accuracy of this study. MAGE-A3
alone was positive in 45% of positive SLNs. This result is
compatible with a previous study in which MAGE-A3 mRNA was
expressed in 43% of metastatic melanoma (Miyashiro, I., 2001).
GalNAcT mRNA was expressed in 64% of histopathology positive SLNs.
This result is consistent with earlier reported study (Kuo, C. T.,
1998). PAX3 mRNA expression was identified from 77% of primary
cultured melanoma but not identified from melanocyte using in situ
hybridization (Scholl, F. A., 2001).
[0046] Among 162 histopathology negative SLN patients, 48 (30%)
patients were upstaged by the (multi-marker panel (MM) qRT-PCR
assay of the present invention. Interestingly, the increased number
of expressed markers significantly correlated with worse
disease-free survival (DFS) after SLND. By contrast, DFS and
survival rate for the patients with no expression of any of the
markers of the panel of the present invention was significantly
high. Recurrence of the disease in patients who had no MM
expression in SLNs may be due to the false-negative results by
qRT-PCR assay or spread of disease through hematogeneous
metastasis. In fact, eight (67%) of 12 patients who had no MM
expression but recurred had hematogenic metastases as an initial
recurrence site and the other four patients had lymphatic
metastases at least 2 yr later after SLND.
[0047] The present invention demonstrate that when marker panels of
the present invention are used, lack of expression of markers can
predict favorable prognosis of the patients who had SLND.
Interestingly, the mRNA copy number of each marker in patients who
recurred was significantly higher than that in patients who did not
recur among the histopathology negative SLN patients.
[0048] The qRT-PCR assays of the present invention not only
provided qualitative but also quantitative data in predicting the
patient's survival. Among the histopathology negative SLN patients,
occult melanoma cells with higher MM copy levels correlate with
disease recurrence. The present invention also demonstrates that
histopathology negative and RT-PCR negative patients will remain
disease-free and need less management.
[0049] The qRT-PCR assays of the present invention provides a rapid
and reproducible approach with high sensitivity and specificity.
Moreover, the assay does not require tedious and often subjective
procedures required in detection of PCR products, such as in gel
electrophoresis-based assays. The present invention demonstrates
feasibility and utility of the MM qRT-PCR assays in PE samples by
ROC curve analysis, comparison study between frozen and PE
specimens of the same specimen, and dilution analysis using laser
capture microdissection (LCM).
[0050] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
panel of mRNA markers is used in a combination with qRT-PCR assay.
It is a discovery of the present invention that the use of qRT-PCR
in a combination with the panel of markers of the present invention
greatly improves assay sensitivity and specificity for the
detection of occult metastases in PE SLNs, which are H&E and
IHC negative, and predict disease outcome in patients with early
stage melanoma.
[0051] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the method for detecting
metastatic cells of the present invention comprises a step of
assigning an AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) stage to the
patient based on the presence or absence of the nucleic acid
targets in the sample. In another embodiment, the method for
detecting metastatic cells comprises a step of predicting at least
one parameter selected from a group consisting of disease
recurrence, patient's prognosis, and patient's survival, wherein
the parameters are determined based on the presence or absence of
the nucleic acid targets in the sample. Preferably, the parameter
is predicted for at least three-year period following a removal of
a primary tumor, sentinel lymphadenectomy (SLND), or both. The
method may further comprise a step of selecting a treatment regimen
based on the patient's prognosis.
[0052] It is also a discovery of the present invention that
quantitative multiple marker expression in the PE SLN may more
accurately reflect occult metastases of melanoma and be a more
powerful predictor of patients' disease relapse and postoperative
survival than H&E and IHC. Prior to the present invention there
had been no evidence in the art that the described panels of
markers are useful for predicting disease outcome. Accordingly, in
another aspect, the present invention provides a method for
detecting metastatic melanoma cells in PE samples. The method
comprises (a) deparaffinizing PE melanoma tissue samples or PE
lymph node samples to obtain deparaffinized samples; (b) isolating
nucleic acid from the deparaffinized samples; (c) amplifying
nucleic acid targets, if present, from a panel of marker genes,
wherein the panel comprises at least two marker genes selected from
a group consisting of MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, MART-1, PAX3, MITF, TRP-2,
and Tyrosinase; and (d) detecting the presence or absence of the
nucleic acid targets.
[0053] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
of detecting metastatic breast, gastric, pancreas or colon cancer
cells in a patient. The method comprises (a) isolating nucleic acid
from PE cancerous tissues or PE lymph nodes of the patient; (b)
amplifying nucleic acid targets, if present, from a panel of marker
genes selected from a group consisting of C-Met, MAGE-A3,
Stanniocalcin-1, mammoglobin, heat shock protein 27 (HSP27),
GalNAcT, cytokeratin 20 (CK20), and beta chain-human chorionic
gonadotrophin .beta.-HCG); and (c) detecting the presence or
absence of the nucleic acid targets.
[0054] C-Met is a cell surface receptor for hepatocyte growth
factor (motility, growth, migration activation). MAGE-A3 is of
unknown function. Characterized as an immunogenic antigen in human
found in different cancers not normal tissue except testes and
placenta. Sanniocalcin-1 is of unknown function in humans. Found in
animals and fish to regulate calcium and phosphate levels.
Mammoglobulin is related to secretions of the mammary gland. HSP 27
is a regulator of various cellular functions including apoptosis
and is activated in malignancy. Cytokeratin 20 is cytoskeleton
protein regulating shape and motility. Beta-HCG is a gonadotropin
hormone that binds to beta-HCG receptor and is involved in growth
and metabolic activation of a cell.
[0055] In one embodiment, the panel of mRNA markers is used in a
combination with RealTime RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. Prior to the
present invention there had been no evidence in the art that the
described panels of markers when used to amplify nucleic acid
isolated from PE cancerous tissues or PE lymph nodes are useful for
predicting disease outcome.
[0056] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the method for detecting
metastatic breast, gastric, pancreas or colon cancer cells of the
present invention comprises a step of assigning an AJCC (American
Joint Committee on Cancer) stage to the patient based on the
presence or absence of the nucleic acid targets in the sample. In
another embodiment, the method for detecting metastatic cells
comprises a step of predicting at least one parameter selected from
a group consisting of disease recurrence, patient's prognosis, and
patient's survival, wherein the parameters are determined based on
the presence or absence of the nucleic acid targets in the sample.
Preferably, the parameter is predicted for at least three-year
period following a removal of a primary tumor, sentinel
lymphadenectomy (SLND), or both. The method may further comprise a
step of selecting a treatment regimen based on the patient's
prognosis.
[0057] In a different aspect, the present invention provides kits
for use in detecting melanoma cells in a biological sample. All the
basic essential materials and reagents required for detecting
melanoma cells in a biological sample, may be assembled together in
a kit. This will generally comprise of the preselected primers for
two, or more, particular specific markers. Also included may be
enzymes suitable for amplifying nucleic acids including various
polymerases (RT, Tag, etc.), deoxynucleotides and buffers to
provide the necessary reaction mixture for amplification.
[0058] Such kits will generally comprise, in suitable means,
distinct containers for each individual reagent and enzyme as well
as for each marker primer pair. In one embodiment, the kit
comprises primers for amplifying nucleic acids targets from a panel
of marker genes, wherein the panel comprises GalNAcT, PAX3, or
both, and containers for each of the pairs of primers. In another
embodiment, the kit further comprises primers from marker genes
selected from a group consisting of MAGE-A3, MART-1, MITF, TRP-2,
and Tyrosinase.
[0059] Kits of the present invention, also will typically include a
means for containing the reagents in close confinement for
commercial sale such as, e.g., injection or blow-molded plastic
containers into which the desired reagent are retained. Other
containers suitable for conducting certain steps of the disclosed
methods also may be provided.
[0060] The foregoing is meant to illustrate, but not to limit, the
scope of the invention. Indeed, those of ordinary skill in the art
can readily envision and produce further embodiments, based on the
teachings herein, without undue experimentation.
Example 1
Patients and Tumors
[0061] SLN specimens were obtained in consultation with the surgeon
and pathologist at the John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI). Informed
human subject IRB consent was obtained from patients for the use of
all specimens. All patients had AJCC stage I or II malignant
melanoma (staged by current AJCC staging system)(Balch, C. M.,
2001) which are defined as those patients with no clinical evidence
of regional or metastatic disease. SLND was performed in the
patients as previously described (Morton, D. L., 1992). Total 308
SNs obtained from 215 patients were assessed for histopathologic
examination and qRT-PCR assay. The patients ranged in age from 18.7
to 91.3 years old (mean age 50.9.+-.15.9 SD), consisting of 127
males and 88 females. The patients who had histopathologically
(H&E/IHC) proven metastatic melanoma in SLNs at SLND
subsequently received complete lymph node dissection of the
lymphatic basin. Patients were followed up by clinical diagnostic
examinations in the outpatient clinic. The patients who had
melanoma recurrence after SLND received a variety of adjuvant
therapies (immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or biochemotherapy)(Morton,
D. L., 1992; Morton, D. L., 1996; O'Day, S. J., 2002). The
personnel performing the qRT-PCR assay did not know the disease
outcome of patients. The JWCI melanoma computer database analysis
with patients' follow-up and history was independently provided to
a biostatistician.
[0062] Thirty-two pathology-verified metastatic lesions from
melanoma patients undergoing elective surgeries at JWCI were used
for positive controls and for assessing receiver operating
characteristic (ROC) curves (Henderson, A. R., 1993; Mitas, M.,
2001). After the patients provided informed consent, 39
pathology-defined cancer negative lymph nodes obtained from
patients undergoing tonsilectomy, colorectomy or breast surgery
were utilized as negative controls and for assessing ROC
curves.
[0063] Ten melanoma cell lines (MA, MB, MC, MD, ME, MF, MG, MH, MI,
and MJ) established and characterized at the John Wayne Cancer
Institute (JWCI) were used as positive controls for the qRT-PCR
assay. All established cell lines were grown in RPMI-1640 medium
supplemented with 100 ml/L heat-inactivated fetal calf serum,
penicillin, and streptomycin (GIBCO, Grand Island, N.Y.) in
T75-cm.sup.2 flask as described previously (Miyashiro, I., 2001).
Total RNA was extracted from cells when cell cultures reached
70-80% confluence.
Example 2
Histopathologic Examination and RNA Isolation
[0064] Histopathologic examination by the pathologists was
performed on each collected SN as previously described (Bostick, P.
J., 1999, which is incorporated herein by the reference). Each SN
was bisected, and an 8-.mu.m imprint slide was then prepared from
the tissue surface and stained with Diff-Quik I & II (Dade
International, Miami, Fla.) for the pathologist's intraoperative
diagnosis. If melanoma cells were identified in the frozen section,
a complete lymph node dissection was then performed (Bostick, P.
J., 1999). Six immediately adjacent frozen sections were cut on the
cryostat to a thickness of 12 .mu.m each and stored at -80.degree.
C. until processed at a later date (Bostick, P. J., 1999;
Miyashiro, I., 2001). The remainder of the bisected node, which was
not frozen, was then placed in 10% formalin and embedded in
paraffin, and 4-.mu.m-thick sections were examined with H&E
staining. Adjacent 4-.mu.m-thick sections were evaluated by IHC
using antibodies to HMB-45 and S-100 proteins. This PE section
evaluation was performed at two different levels separated by
approximately 40 .mu.m.
[0065] For qRT-PCR assay, additional 10 sections of 10-.mu.m thick
tissues were cut from each tissue specimen embedded in paraffin
using a microtome and new sterile blade. The sections were placed
in a sterile container for deparaffinization with xylene.
Deparaffinized tissue sections were then subjected to proteinase K
digestion and RNA extraction using the Paraffin Block RNA Isolation
Kit (Ambion, Austin, Tex.). Briefly, tissues were digested, RNA was
solubilized in a guanidinium-based buffer, the separation of RNA
was achieved by using phenol:chloroform, and isopropanol was used
to precipitate the RNA. Pellet Paint (Novagen, Madison, Wis.) was
also used in the precipitation procedure to enhance the recovery of
RNA. The RNA was dissolved in molecular grade water and quantified
using a spectrophotometer and RIBOGreen detection assay (Molecular
Probes, OR). Total cellular RNA from cell lines and frozen tissue
specimens was extracted, isolated and purified using Tri-Reagent
(Molecular Research Center, Cincinnati, Ohio) as previously
described (Sarantou, T., 1997; Bilchik, A. J., 2001). All RNA
extractions were performed in a designated sterile laminar flow
hood using RNAse-free lab ware. Tissue processing, RNA extraction,
RT-PCR assay set-up, and post-RT-PCR product analysis were
performed in separate designated rooms to prevent
cross-contamination, as previously reported (Bostick, P. J.,
1999).
Example 3
Dilution Study
[0066] To verify the specificity of detecting occult metastasis,
total RNA was extracted from 1000 melanoma cells of obviously
metastatic melanoma tissue (n=8) in PE sections using laser capture
microdissection (LCM). Five-.mu.m thick sections were cut from each
tissue specimen embedded in paraffin using a microtomb and mounted
on a slide. Then, tissue sections were deparaffinized with xylene
and subsequently stained with H&E. After drying a slide, 1000
metastatic melanoma cells were microdissected using the PixCell II
LCM System (Arcturus Engineering, Mountain View, Calif.) as
manufacture's procedure. Microdissected tissues were digested with
proteinase K and total RNA was extracted using the Paraffin Block
RNA Isolation Kit (Ambion). RNA isolated from 1000 melanoma cells
was dissolved in molecular grade water, and was serially diluted by
1/2, 1/10, 1/20, 1/50, 1/100, 1/500, and 1/1000. Reverse
transcriptase reaction and qRT-PCR assays were performed for each
marker on the diluted RNAs.
Example 4
Primers and Probes
[0067] Primer and probe sequences were designed for the RealTime
PCR assay using Oligo Primer Analysis Software, version 5.0
(National Biomedical systems, Plymouth, Minn.). To avoid possible
amplification of contaminating genomic DNA, primers were designed
so that each PCR product covered at least one intron. Fluorescence
Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) probe sequences were as
follows:
TABLE-US-00001 MART-1: (SEQ ID NO: 1) 5'-FAM-CAG AAC AGT CAC CAC
CAC CTT ATT-BHQ-1-3'; MAGE-A3: (SEQ ID NO: 2) 5'-FAM-AGC TCC TGC
CCA CAC TCC CGC CTG T-BHQ-1-3'; GalNAcT: (SEQ ID NO: 3) 5'-CAL
RED-ATG AGG CTG CTT TCA CTA TCC GCA-BHQ-2- 3'; PAX3, (SEQ ID NO: 4)
5'-FAM-CCA GAC TGA TTA CGC GCT CTC CC-BHQ-1-3';
Glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH): (SEQ ID NO: 5)
5'-FAM-CAG CAA TGC CTC CTG CAC CAC CAA-BHQ-1-3'.
[0068] Control melanomas and non-melanoma tissues and cell lines
were used to optimize the assay. GAPDH was utilized as internal
reference house-keeping genes for status of sample mRNA
assessed.
[0069] Additionally, the following probes may be used:
TABLE-US-00002 MITF: (SEQ ID NO: 6) 5'-FAM-AGA GCA CTG GCC AAA GAG
AGG CA-BHQ-1-3'. TRP-2: (SEQ ID NO: 7) 5'-FAM-TCA CAT CAA GGA CCT
GCA TTT GTT A-BHQ-1-3'. Tyrosinase (TYR): (SEQ ID NO: 8) 5'-FAM-TTC
ACC ATG CAT TTG TTG ACA GTA TT-BHQ-1-3'. C-MET: (SEQ ID NO: 9)
5'-FAM-TGG GAG CTG ATG ACA AGA GGA G-BHQ-1-3'. Stanniocalcin-1:
(SEQ ID NO: 10) 5'-FAM-CCT GCT GGA ATG TGA TGA AGA CAC-BHQ-1-3'.
Mammoglobin: (SEQ ID NO: 11) Sense: 5'-CACTGCTACGCAGGCTCT-3'; (SEQ
ID NO: 12) Antisense: 5'-TGCTCAGAGTTTCATCCG-3'. HSP27: (SEQ ID NO:
13) 5'-FAM-AGG AGC GGC AGG ACG AGC AT-BHQ-1-3'. Cytokeratin 20:
(SEQ ID NO: 14) 5'-FAM-ATC AGT TAA GCA CCC TGG AAG AGA G-BHQ-1-3'.
Beta-HCG: (SEQ ID NO: 15) 5'-FAM-CCT GCC TCA GGT GGT GTG CAA
C-BHQ-1-3'.
[0070] The above-listed probes are examples of probes that may be
used. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the sequences of
markers of the present invention are known and other primers for
the markers of the present invention can be easily synthesized.
Example 5
qRT-PCR Assay
[0071] All reverse transcriptase reactions were performed using
Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase (Promega,
Madison, Wis.) with both oligo-dT (Gene Link, Hawthorne, N.Y.) and
random hexamers (Roche) priming for a more complete transcription
of all RNA including the fragmented RNA often found in
paraffin-embedded specimens as previously described (Bostick, P.
J., 1999; Miyashiro, I., 2001). The RealTime PCR assay was
performed using iCycler iQ RealTime Thermocycler (4 color)
Detection System (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.). The PCR
reaction mixture consisted of cDNA template from 250 ng of total
RNA, 1 .mu.M of each primer, 0.3 .mu.M FRET probe, 1 U AmpliTaq
Gold polymerase (Applied Biosystems, Branchburg, N.J.), 200 .mu.M
of each dNTP, 4.5 mM MgCl2, 10 .mu.g of bovine serum albumin, and
10.times. AmpliTaq Buffer to a final volume of 25 .mu.l. Samples
were amplified with a precycling hold at 95.degree. C. for 10 min,
followed by 45 cycles of denaturation at 95.degree. C. for 1 min,
annealing at 55.degree. C. for 1 min for GAPDH, annealing at
58.degree. C. for MAGE-A3 (40 cycles), at 62.degree. C. for MART-1,
at 62.degree. C. for GalNAc-T (42 cycles), at 65.degree. C. for
Pax3, and extension at 72.degree. C. for 1 min. The following
conditions may be used for other markers: 59.degree. C. for MITF;
62.degree. C. for TRP-2 (42 cycles); 58.degree. C. for tyrosinase;
55.degree. C. for C-MET; 54.degree. C. for stanniocalcin-1;
59.degree. C. for HSP 27; 55.degree. C. for cytokeratin 20; and
60.degree. C. for beta-HCG.
[0072] For ROC curve analysis, all reactions were performed at same
conditions but 45 cycles. All PCR conditions and annealing
temperature for each marker were optimized at initial experiments
and ROC curve analysis.
[0073] Positive controls (melanoma cell lines and PE metastatic
melanoma tissues), negative controls from tumor-free lymph nodes,
and reagent controls (reagent alone without RNA or cDNA) for the
qRT-PCR assays were included in each assay run. Each assay was
performed at least three times to verify the results and the mean
copy number was used for analysis. If twice or more positive copy
numbers were obtained in the same sample, the sample by the marker
was considered to be positive. If only once positive copy number
was detected in the three assays, the sample was thought to be
negative. In the patient who have two or more identified SLNs, the
highest copy number among them was listed as a chosen value.
[0074] The standard curve for quantifying mRNA copy number was
established by amplifying nine aliquots of templates with known
copy numbers (10.degree. to 10.sup.8 copies). Specific MAA cDNA was
synthesized as follows; RT-PCR and sample RNA was performed, run on
2% agarose gel electrophoresis, and the cDNA was extracted using
the QIAquick gel extraction method (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.)
according to the manufacturer's instructions. The MAA cDNA was
ligated into pCR II-TOPO cloning vector (Invitrogen, San Diego,
Calif.), the cDNA clones were transformed into Escherichia coli
DH5-.alpha. cells, and cultures were expanded as previously
described (Miyashiro, I., 2001). Plasmids containing the target
gene were purified and quantified for use in the RealTime PCR
setup. To confirm that the inserted PCR product size is correct,
plasmids were digested with specific restriction enzymes, and the
cDNA clone PCR products were then run on gel electrophoresis.
Example 6
Statistical Analysis
[0075] To investigate the association between single and
multimarker combinations and clinicopathological parameters,
Student's t-test was used for continuous variables. Chi-square test
was used for categorical variables. Kappa analysis and Spearman
correlation coefficient analysis were used for the comparison
between the copy numbers of each mRNA marker. The cumulative
disease-free survival rates for patient groups were calculated
using the Kaplan-Meier methods and compared by using the log-rank
test. Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate
analysis of variables associated with the disease-free survival.
All p values which were two-sided at a value of .ltoreq.0.05 were
considered to be statistically significant.
Example 7
MAA Expression In Melanoma Cell Lines
[0076] MART-1, MAGE-A3, GalNAc-T, and PAX3 mRNA expressions were
measured by qRT-PCR assay in ten melanoma cell lines. The PCR
amplification of the serially diluted cDNA standard templates of
each marker showed a logarithmic signal increase (FIG. 1A,
representative qRT-PCR analysis for MART-1). The standard curve was
generated by using the threshold cycle (Ct) of templates with known
numbers of copies (FIG. 1B, only for MART-1 is shown). The Ct of
each sample was plotted on the standard curve, and the mRNA copy
number was calculated by the iCycler iQ RealTime Detection System
Software (Bio-Rad Laboratories). All four markers were expressed in
every melanoma cell line.
[0077] The MART-1 mRNA copy number ranged from 5.66.times.10.sup.3
to 4.56.times.10.sup.7 copies (median 2.32.times.10.sup.7 copies)
per 250 ng of total RNA from 10 individual melanoma cell lines. The
MAGE-A3 mRNA copy number ranged from 6.34.times.10.sup.3 to
1.31.times.10.sup.6 copies (median 7.61.times.10.sup.5 copies), the
GalNAc-T mRNA copy number ranged from 24 to 5.05.times.10.sup.5
copies (median 3.58.times.10.sup.4 copies), and the PAX3 mRNA copy
levels were from 2.25.times.10.sup.4 to 4.00.times.10.sup.5 copies
(median 2.12.times.10.sup.5 copies). The house-keeping gene GAPDH
mRNA copy number ranged from 3.19.times.10.sup.7 to
1.56.times.10.sup.8 copies (median 1.05.times.10.sup.8 copies). The
marker expressions and the size of PCR products were certified by a
run on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis after qRT-PCR assay.
Example 8
ROC Curves Analysis
[0078] ROC curve analysis was performed to define the diagnostic
accuracy of the MM qRT-PCR assay of the present invention for the
detection of metastatic melanoma in PE specimens. Each marker mRNA
copy level in 32 pathology-verified metastatic lesions from
melanoma patients was significantly higher than that in 39
pathology-defined cancer negative lymph nodes. ROC curve analysis
is based on a plot of sensitivity as a function of 1-specificity
(Henderson, A. R., 1993; Mitas, M., 2001). FIG. 2 provides ROC
curves for various markers.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 1 ROC curves analysis Mark r W (Area und r ROC
curv) .+-. SE S nsitivity Specificity MART-1 0.906 .+-. 0.039 0.813
1.000 MAGE-A3 0.903 .+-. 0.039 0.781 1.000 GalNAcT 0.813 .+-. 0.053
0.594 1.000 PAX3 0.968 .+-. 0.023 0.969 0.923
[0079] ROC curve analysis is the most commonly used statistical
method for assessing the accuracy of diagnostic tests (Henderson,
A. R., 1993; Mitas, M., 2001). The area under the ROC curve with a
defined confidence interval is a measure of diagnostic accuracy
such that values between 0.5 and 0.7 indicate low accuracy, values
between 0.7 and 0.9 indicate moderate accuracy and values more than
0.9 indicate high accuracy.
[0080] In this study, the value of each marker was as follows;
MART-1, W=0.906; MAGE-A3, 0.903; GalNAc-T, 0.813; PAX3, 0.968
(Table 1 and FIG. 2). The sensitivity and specificity for given
cut-off points (optimized PCR cycle number) were also evaluated
(Table 1). None of the MART-1, GalNAcT and MAGE-A3 mRNA copy levels
were expressed under the assay's optimal conditions in normal lymph
nodes (n=39). Thus, the methods of the present invention, unlike
conventional methods do not produce false-positive results. Only
one normal lymph node expressed PAX3 mRNA, however, the copy number
was one. The values in ROC curve analysis and the sensitivity and
specificity of each marker were acceptable and feasible for
detection of metastatic melanoma in PE specimens.
Example 9
Comparison Between Frozen and PE Specimens in the SLN Sample
[0081] The sensitivity of the MM qRT-PCR assay was further
validated by comparing for each marker mRNA copy level of
paraffin-embedded specimens with frozen sections in 31 SLNs (ten
SLNs were pathology defined melanoma-positive lymph nodes, and 21
SLNs were histologically negative).
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2 Consistency of mRNA expression between
paraffin-embedded and frozen SLNs Spearman correlation Consistency
Kappa analysis coefficient Marker of results (%) Coefficient 95% CI
p-value Coefficient p-value MART-1 30/31 (97%) 0.912 0.744, 1.081
<0.0001 0.963 <0.0001 MAGE-A3 27/31 (87%) 0.597 0.260, 0.934
0.0022 0.868 <0.0001 GalNAc-T 27/31 (87%) 0.688 0.409, 0.968
0.0003 0.835 <0.0001 PAX3 30/31 (97%) 0.912 0.744, 1.081
<0.0001 0.970 <0.0001
[0082] Positivity of each marker in PE sections was highly
coincided with that in corresponding frozen sections (Table 2).
Moreover, Spearman correlation coefficient analysis and Kappa
analysis revealed significant correlation in each marker mRNA copy
level between PE sections and corresponding frozen sections (Table
2). Surprisingly, the study demonstrated not only a high
coincidence of positivity but also significant correlation in each
marker mRNA copy level between frozen and PE specimens. The study
revealed that marker panels of the present invention can be used in
both PE and frozen specimens.
Example 10
Dilution Study
[0083] The sensitivity of mRNA marker detection by the qRT-PCR
assay was verified by serial dilution analysis of total RNA from
1000 melanoma cells obtained from paraffin-embedded specimens using
the LCM. The assays were repeated at least three times for each
marker to verify the results and reduce false-positive and
false-negative results. Representative results are shown as Table
3.
[0084] In several samples, MART-1, MAGE-A3, GalNAcT and PAX3 mRNA
copy levels were detectable in 1/100 diluted total RNA which is
approximately equal to total RNA from 10 melanoma cells in the
qRT-PCR assay.
[0085] Dilution study using the LCM was performed to define the
sensitivity for detection of PE occult melanoma cells in the
assays. It is known that the mRNA levels for individual markers
vary in individual melanoma cells because inter- and intra-tumor
heterogeneity. Therefore the results may not always representative
of all SLN specimens assessed in this study. However, the detection
sensitivities obtained in the present invention (10 to 50
metastatic melanoma cells in 100-mm thick PE SLN) unexpectedly
allow detection of occult melanoma cells in SLNs.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Copy number at the diluted samples (No. of
estimated melanoma cells) Marker Sample 1 (1000) 1/2 (500) 1/10
(100) 1/20 (50) 1/100 (10) 1/200 (5) 1/1000 (1) MART-1 A 167 139 38
7 2 0 0 B 39 31 3 2 0 0 0 C 166 83 12 2 0 0 0 MAGE-A3 B 183 161 8 2
1 0 0 C 243 157 31 6 1 0 0 D 70 35 5 2 0 0 0 GalNAc-T E 18 12 4 2 0
0 0 F 19 8 6 2 1 0 0 G 7 4 1 0 0 0 0 pax3 A 47 18 2 1 0 0 0 C 74 33
5 3 1 0 0 D 42 22 12 0 0 0 0
Example 11
MM qRT-PCR Assay in PE SLNs
[0086] MART-1, MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, and PAX3 mRNA copy levels were
assessed using the qRT-PCR assay on 308 SLNs obtained from 215
clinically early-stage melanoma patients who underwent SLND. Of the
53 patients with histopathologically proven melanoma cells (48
detected by H&E staining, seven by IHC alone) in the SLN,
MART-1, MAGE-A3, GalNAcT, and PAX3 mRNA markers were expressed in
the SLNs of 38 (72%), 24 (45%), 34 (64%), and 37 (70%) patients,
respectively (Table 4). Among the patients with histopathologically
positive SLNs, 47 (89%) of 53 expressed at least one detectable
mRNA marker, and 20 patients (38%) demonstrated all four marker
mRNA expression (Table 4). On the other hand, MART-1, MAGE-A3,
GalNAcT, and PAX3 marker expression were detected from 162 patients
with histopathologically proven melanoma-free SLNs (no evidence of
tumor cells in SLN by H&E staining or IHC) as follows: 10 (6%),
8 (5%), 27 (17%), 28 (17%), respectively. Positivity of each mRNA
marker in histopathologically positive SLNs was significantly
higher than that in histopathologically negative SLNs (Table 4).
Among 162 patients with histopathologically negative SLNs
forty-eight patients (30%) had at least one melanoma marker
detected and 19 patients (12%) had two or three markers expressed.
No patients with histopathologically negative SLNs demonstrated all
four marker expression.
[0087] Each mRNA copy number per 250 ng of total RNA in SLN from
215 patients ranged as follows: MART-1, 0 to 547,400 mRNA copies
(mean.+-.SD: 5,926.+-.45,876 copies); MAGE-A3, 0 to 1,980 copies
(28.+-.160 copies); GalNAc-T, 0 to 13,710 copies (88.+-.938
copies); Pax3, 0 to 11,060 copies (190.+-.917 copies). Mean copy
level for each mRNA marker in histopathologically positive SLNs was
significantly higher than that in histopathologically negative SLNs
(Table 4). Patients' age, Breslow's thickness, and Clark level were
also significantly different between histopathologically positive
and negative SLN patients, respectively (Table 4). The study may
suggest that mRNA marker copy labels by the qRT-PCR assays of the
present invention are generally reflected by tumor volume or number
of melanoma cells in SLN in spite of the tumor heterogeneity.
[0088] Spearman correlation coefficient analysis also showed a
significant correlation (p<0.001) in comparison of MART-1 vs.
MAGE-A3, MART-1 vs. GalNAcT, MART-1 vs. PAX3, MAGE-A3 vs. GalNAcT,
MAGE-A3 vs. PAX3, and GalNAcT vs. PAX3 with the correlation
coefficient 0.560, 0.488, 0.514, 0.526, 0.506, and 0.465,
respectively. All SLN specimens were positive for GAPDH showing
high integrity of the mRNA extracted from the tumor specimens. The
GAPDH mRNA copy number ranged from 1.02.times.10.sup.3 to
7.24.times.10.sup.6 copies (median 3.24.times.10.sup.4 copies).
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 Correlation of mRNA Markers with Histopath I
gy Stat s f the SLNs H&E/ H&E/ IHC(+) SLN IHC(-) SLN Risk
Factor (n = 53) (n = 162) p value Age (mean +/- SD) 46.5 52.3 0.02
Gender: Male 30 97 Female 23 65 0.8 Primary Site Head/neck 5 26
Trunk 20 66 Extremity 28 70 0.35 Breslow thickness (mm) <=1.00 6
55 1.01-2.00 20 65 2.01-4.00 19 26 >4.00 7 13 0.001 Mean +/-
SD(mm) 2.86 +/- 2.6 1.9 +/- 1.8 0.003 Clark level 1 0 2 2 4 11 3 10
65 4 35 72 5 3 8 0.03 MART-1 expression Positive 15 152 Negative 38
10 <0.0001 MART-1 copy number 24029 +/- 90652 3.4 +/- 27 0.0008
(Mean +/- SD) GalNAc-T expression Positive 19 135 Negative 34 27
<0.0001 GalNac-T copy number 331 +/- 1882 7.9 +/- 29 0.03 (Mean
+/- SD) Pax3 expression Positive 16 134 Negative 37 28 <0.0001
Pax3 copy number 701 +/- 1734 22.7 +/- 177 <0.0001 (Mean +/- SD)
MAGE-A3 expression Positive 29 154 Negative 24 8 <0.0001 MAGE-A3
copy number 114 +/- 309 0.2 +/- 1 <0.0001 (Mean +/- SD) Number
of mRNA marker 0 6 114 1 9 29 2 10 13 3 8 6 4 20 0 <0.0001
[0089] In a median follow-up period of 60.4 months, thirty-one
(58%) of 53 patients with histopathologically positive SLNs and 39
(24%) of 162 patients with histopathologically negative SLNs have
recurred after SLND. The disease free survival (DFS) rate for 53
patients with histopathologically positive SLNs was significantly
lower than for 162 patients with histopathologically negative SLNs
(Log-rank test p<0.0001; FIG. 3, Table 4). Among the 162
patients with histopathologically negative SLNs, only 12 (11%) of
the 114 patients with SLNs that were with histopathologically
negative and had no mRNA marker expressed had recurrence of
disease. Among the 48 patients with SLNs that were
histopathologically negative SLNs but which expressed one or more
mRNA markers, 56% (27 of 48) had recurrence. A significantly worse
DFS was associated with patients whose histopathologically negative
SLN expressed one or more mRNA markers as compared to those
patients with no mRNA marker present (p<0.0001) (Table 5). In
particular, the increased number of mRNA marker expression
significantly correlated with worse DFS rate among
histopathologically negative SLN patients (FIG. 4A). There have
been 12 (41%) recurrences in 29 patients with one mRNA marker
expressed, 10 (71%) recurrences in 14 patients with two markers
expressed, and 5 (100%) recurrences in 5 patients with three marker
expression (FIG. 4b).
[0090] By multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard
model, histopathologically negative SLN patients at increased risk
of recurrence had the combination of the MM expression (RR 3.26,
95% CI: 2.4-4.4, p<0.0001) and Breslow's thickness (RR 1.21, 95%
CI: 1.1-1.4, p=0.01). In histopathologically negative SLN patients,
the mRNA copy number of each marker in patients who recurred was
significantly higher than that in patients who did not recur
(p<0.001; Table 6). Among the total 215 patients, only MAGE-A3
mRNA copy levels correlated with disease recurrence (mean copy
number in the patients with recurrence vs. no recurrence; 64.+-.265
vs 11.+-.59; p=0.02).
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5 Pr gn stic Significance of mRNA Marker Det
cti n in th SLN v rsus Dis ase Recurrence No recurrenc Recurr nc
Risk Factor (n = 123) (n = 39) p valu Age (mean +/- SD) 51.9 +/-
16.3 53.5 +/- 15 0.58 Gender: Male 72 25 Female 51 14 0.53 Primary
Site Head/neck 15 11 Trunk 57 9 Extremity 51 19 0.011 Breslow
thickness (mm) T1 <=1.00 48 10 T2 1.01-2.00 52 13 T3 2.01-4.00
14 12 T4 <4.00 9 4 0.025 Mean +/- SD (mm) 1.7 +/- 1.6 2.4 +/-
2.0 0.034 Clark level 1 2 0 2 7 4 3 54 11 4 52 20 5 6 2 0.41 AJCC
stage I (T1 and N0) 48 10 II (T2 or T3 or T4 and 75 28 N0) III (Any
T and N1/2) 0 0 0.13 MART-1 expression Positive 3 7 Negative 120 32
<0.0005 MART-1 copy number 44.8 +/- 309 16904 +/- 76801 0.01
(Mean +/- SD) GalNAc-T expression Positive 8 19 Negative 115 20
<0.0001 GalNac-T copy number 17 +/- 63 219 +/- 1585 0.13 (Mean
+/- SD) Pax3 expression Positive 13 15 Negative 110 24 <0.00006
Pax3 copy number 61.7 +/- 384 429 +/- 1436 <0.005 (Mean +/- SD)
MAGE-A3 expression Positive 1 7 Negative 122 32 <0.00002 MAGE-A3
copy number 6.7 +/- 42 68.5 +/- 261 <0.007 (Mean +/- SD) Number
of mRNA marker 0 102 12 1 17 12 2 4 9 3 0 6 4 0 0 <0.0001
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 6 C x Pr p rtional Hazards Model of Multi
Marker RT-PCR RR Pvalue Age (<60, >60) 1.47 0.24 Gender 1.15
0.42 Breslow 1.15 0.037 Clark 1.57 0.0037 Ulceration 2.4 0.13 Site
(long rank test) 0.007 Tyr 6.7 <0.001 Mart 10.1 <0.001 Trp
5.57 <0.001 Galnac 7.66 <0.001 Mitf 6.03 <0.001 Pax3 4.66
<0.001 Mage 7.21 <0.001 Total 1 (log rank test) <0.001
Total 1 (0, 1, . . . , 7) 1.8 <0.001 Total 2 (0, 1, 2+) 4.46
<0.001 Total 3 (0-1, 2+) 15.7 <0.001
[0091] Table 6 gives the results of the univariate CoxPH analyses
in the SN negative group. The markers are dichotomized as +/-
expression. Total 1 is the number of positive markers. Total 2 uses
two categories 0 positives, 1 positive or 2+ positive markers.
Total 3 compares 0-1 positive markers vs 2+ positive markers. Two
factors, site and total 1 employ the log rank test meaning that the
variable was treated as a factor and we cannot compute an
associated relative risk (RR).
[0092] The correlation of MM expression by qRT-PCR with patient's
survival was also assessed. The survival rate for 53 patients with
histopathologically positive SLNs was significantly lower than for
162 patients with histopathologically negative SLNs (p<0.0001).
Among the 162 patients with histopathologically negative SLNs, the
survival rate for patients with one or more mRNA marker expression
was significantly lower than that for patients with no mRNA marker
expression (p<0.0001; FIG. 5). Furthermore the patient's worse
survival correlated with the increased number of mRNA marker
expression similar to the results of DFS analysis
(p<0.0001).
[0093] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The
described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative and not as restrictive. The scope of the invention is,
therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning
and range of the equivalence of the claims are to be embraced
within their scope.
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Sequence CWU 1
1
15124DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide 1cagaacagtc accaccacct
tatt 24225DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide 2agctcctgcc
cacactcccg cctgt 25324DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide
3atgaggctgc tttcactatc cgca 24423DNAArtificialSynthetic
oligonucleotide 4ccagactgat tacgcgctct ccc
23524DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide 5cagcaatgcc tcctgcacca
ccaa 24623DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide 6agagcactgg
ccaaagagag gca 23725DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide
7tcacatcaag gacctgcatt tgtta 25826DNAArtificialSynthetic
oligonucleotide 8ttcaccatgc atttgttgac agtatt
26922DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide 9tgggagctga tgacaagagg
ag 221024DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide 10cctgctggaa
tgtgatgaag acac 241118DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide
11cactgctacg caggctct 181218DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide
12tgctcagagt ttcatccg 181320DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide
13aggagcggca ggacgagcat 201425DNAArtificialSynthetic
oligonucleotide 14atcagttaag caccctggaa gagag
251522DNAArtificialSynthetic oligonucleotide 15cctgcctcag
gtggtgtgca ac 22
* * * * *