Association Between Clinical Prognostic Factors for Metastasis and Gene Expresssion Profile (GEP) of Uveal Melanomas Evaluated by FNAB

1. Zélia M. Corrêa, M.D., Ph.D.
2. James J. Augsburger, M.D.
3. J William Harbour, M.D.

1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
3. department of Ophthalmology, Washington University St Louis, St Louis, USA

Purpose: To determine the relationships between clinical prognostic factors for metastasis from uveal melanoma (tumor size, tumor location) and gene expression profile (GEP) of tumor cells obtained by FNAB.

Methods: Prospective study of 128 patients with primary uveal melanoma evaluated by FNAB in a single center. The results of GEP on fresh FNAB samples obtained were correlated with clinical prognostic factors.

Results: Larger basal diameter or thickness of the melanocytic uveal tumor related to a higher probability of Class 2 gene expression profile (P = 0.002, χ2 test). Only 23.4% of exclusively choroidal tumors were Class 2 by GEP while 63.6% of ciliary body tumors were Class 2 (P <0.001, χ2 test).

Conclusion: A strong correlation exists between tumor size and tumor location and the prognostic class of the tumor assigned by GEP.