Analysis of Expression and Soluble Form of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Malignant Melanoma

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Abstract
The effects of interferon (IFN) on the expression of ICAM‐1 in human melanoma cell lines and the shedding of ICAM‐1 into spent media were investigated using an indirect binding assay and a double determinant immunoassay (DDIA). While IFN increased the level of expression of ICAM‐1 on melanoma cell lines, the susceptibility to IFN differed according to cell line. The enhancing effect of IFN‐γ was concentration‐dependent, and it exceeded those of IFN‐α and IFN‐β. Shedding of ICAM‐1 into spent media was detected effectively, and the results agreed well with the expression of ICAM‐1 on melanoma cells. Immunostaining of the surgically removed melanoma lesions was positively correlated with the thickness of the primary lesion. The expression of ICAM‐1 in primary melanoma lesions was inversely correlated with the disease‐free interval. The circulating ICAM‐1 with stage 4 melanoma patients significantly exceeded that of stage 1–3 melanoma patients. These observations suggest that ICAM‐1 in its soluble form may play an important role in host immunities and may be useful in evaluating the prognosis of patients with melanoma.