Background. There are several circulatory biomarkers that are involved in forecasting the clinical outcome of cutaneous melanoma. Serum/plasma vitamin D status is one of the markers intensively studied in this type of cutaneous cancer. The combination of validated serum biomarkers (like LDH) with new biomarkers such as IL-8, angiogenic factor, and vitamin D is still at the dawn of research. Hence, we are aiming to establish the predictive power of inflammatory biomarkers, such as IL-8, and metabolic ones, such as vitamin D. These candidate biomarkers are intended to aid classical biomarkers, such as LDH, in the prognosis of cutaneous melanoma. Methods. Serum vitamin D and IL-8 were quantified in melanoma patients and in matching healthy controls. Results. Median serum vitamin D concentrations were significantly lower (p = 0.003) in melanoma patients as compared to healthy control subjects, while around 65% of the investigated patients have proven a severe circulatory deficiency of this vitamin. IL-8 was found increased (p = 0.001) in melanoma patients as compared to controls. Conclusion. Upregulation of proangiogenic factors associated with vitamin D deficiency can prove to be potent future biomarkers candidates, enhancing the predictive power of classical LDH.
The relation between sun exposure, vitamin D synthesis and skin cancer is a complex one. Radiations from the sun stimulate the cutaneous vitamin D synthesis, one way, and promote the development of the skin cancer on the other way. A lot of epidemiologic and experimental studies revealed contradictory results regarding the relation between vitamin D and malignant melanoma. The vitamin D deficiency, accurate biochemical indicator of the vitamin D status in the body, could be implicated in promoting metastasis of the malignant melanoma by activation of the cellular proliferation, stimulation of the neutrophils chemotaxis and promoting angiogenesis. Identification of therapeutic strategies to normalise serum levels of the 25-OH vitamin D3 could represent useful tools in preventing melanoma metastasis.
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