A Factor Found in the Igg Fraction of Serum of Patients With Paraneoplastic Bilateral Diffuse Uveal Melanocytic Proliferation Causes Proliferation of Cultured Human Melanocytes

Abstract

Patients with BDUMP have a factor in the IgG fraction that selectively causes melanocyte proliferation. How it causes proliferation of human melanocytes and melanoma cells needs to be further elucidated.

Bilateral Diffuse Uveal Melanocytic Proliferation: Molecular Genetic Analysis of a Case and Review of the Literature

“…This hypothesis is supported to some extent by in vitro data, e.g. the proliferation of cultured melanocytes was enhanced when treated with the IgG fraction of human serum from patients with BDUMP [13]. Furthermore, Sen et al [6] reported total regression of BDUMP after excision of the underlying lung carcinoma.…”

Near-Infrared Autofluorescence in Bilateral Diffuse Uveal Melanocytic Proliferation Associated With Esophageal Carcinoma and Choroidal Metastasis

“…Early detection of BDUMP is important because recently a soluble factor associated with BDUMP has been detected 26 and a possible effect of plasmapheresis as a therapeutic approach has been described. 19,22,26 Key words: near-infrared autofluorescence, bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation, choroidal metastasis, esophageal carcinoma, fundus autofluorescence, spectral domain optical coherence tomography.…”

Dermal and conjunctival melanocytic proliferations in diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation

“…This factor has been termed CMEP factor. 9 One also wonders whether or not melanocytes in tissues other than the uvea also proliferate. In a review of the literature, of 28 cases reported by 2003, 25% had evidence of nonocular areas of hyperpigmentation, many of which involved mucosal membranes including the oral mucosa, the vagina, and the penis.…”

“…7,8 A recent study has shown that plasma from patients with BDUMP contains an IgG that causes cultured melanocytes to proliferate and elongate, which we have termed cultured melanocyte elongation and proliferation factor (CMEP factor). 9 There are rare reports about nonuveal melanocytic proliferation in BDUMP, but some of these observations have been interpreted to be melanoma metastases to the dermal layers. 6 Others have stated that the condition involves melanophages in the mucosa.…”