BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that the postoperative serum level of TA90-IC, an immune complex of a 90-kDa @entity5 -associated antigen and its antibody, might have a significant correlation with recurrence and survival in @entity1 with thick primary @entity320 . METHODS: We used our prospective @entity320 database to identify all @entity1 who underwent wide local excision and sentinel lymphadenectomy for primary @entity320 > or =4 mm and from whom sera had been collected and cryopreserved within 6 months after surgery. These sera were analyzed in a blinded fashion for TA90-IC status by using our double-determinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results were correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) and @entity1349 ( @entity1349 ). Standard prognostic factors for @entity320 were then compared with TA90-IC status for the prediction of DFS and @entity1349 . RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the TA90-IC assay for predicting recurrence were 70% and 85%, respectively. Five-year DFS and @entity1349 rates were higher for the TA90-IC-negative group than the positive group. The differences in DFS and @entity1349 between the TA90-IC-negative and -positive groups were significant. At a median follow-up of 25 months, multivariate analysis identified postoperative TA90-IC status and sex as significant predictors of DFS. TA90-IC status was the only independent prognostic factor with multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: TA90-IC status after resection of thick primary @entity320 accurately predicts outcome. A positive postoperative TA90-IC level might affect a decision regarding adjuvant therapy, regardless of regional nodal status.

Serum TA90 immune complex assay can predict outcome after resection of thick (> or =4 mm) primary XXXX and sentinel lymphadenectomy.

@entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity320 :: ('MESH:D008545', 'Disease') :: ['melanoma', 'melanomas'] @entity1349 :: ('MESH:D011475', 'Disease') :: ['OS', 'overall survival']
@entity320 :: (MESH:D008545,Disease) :: ['melanoma']
