Serum S100 is not useful in staging of melanoma

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, August, 2003

The aim of this study was to determine if serum S100 levels could predict micrometastatic disease in malignant melanoma. S 100 is a calcium binding protein found in glial and melanoma cells. Thirty-one patients with primary cutaneous melanoma < 1 mm were initially screened for any evidence of metastatic disease. Serum samples were obtained from patients, and they subsequently underwent sentinel node biopsy. Lymph nodes were analyzed for evidence of micrometastasis and results were compared against S100 levels.

Nine of the 31 patients had positive sentinel node biopsies (SNB). However, all of the 31 patients had serum S100 concentrations within normal limits (< 0.14 ug/L). In this study, the levels of S100 could not predict the presence of micrometastatic disease in the regional lymph nodes and therefore would not be useful in the staging malignant melanoma.

Acland K et al. Serum S100 concentrations are not useful in predicting micrometastatic disease in cutaneous malignant melanoma. Br J Dermatol 2002;146:832-835.