Prognostic role of maspin expression in melanoma: probably far from clinical use

Maspin, a member of the serpin superfamily, is a double-face gene enacting different activities in cancer. Several studies support that in melanoma maspin loss could contribute to disease progression and metastatic dissemination, sustaining its putative tumour-suppressor role; others did not confirm these observations[1-5]. Also, the maspin subcellular localization in immunohistochemistry (nuclear vs. cytoplasm) has been related to divergent effects, such as tumor promotion or inhibition[5]. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.