A feasibility study of circulating melanoma cells in the perioperative context of hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) in 20 patients

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperthermic Ιsolated Limb Perfusion using melphalan and TNFα (TM-HILP) is a regional chemotherapy method for advanced melanoma. Purpose: To explore the feasibility of the study of Circulating Melanoma Cells (CMCs) in the context of acute physiological changes induced by TM-HILP and their association with oncological outcomes. Methods: The study included 20 patients undergoing TM-HILP for unresectable in-transit melanoma of the limbs, stage III(B/C/D). CMCs in the peripheral blood were analyzed at 5-time points from the preoperative day until day 7 from surgery using the following biomarkers: MITF, Tyrosinase mRNA, Melan-A and S100b, through quantitative RT-PCR. Results: No CMCs according to Tyrosinase and Melan-A biomarkers were found in any sample. Friedman test showed significant alterations perioperatively for MITF (p