This prospective study suggests that immunocytology using BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) could aid prognostication of uveal melanoma.

Study design

The authors evaluated the fine needle aspiration biopsies of 79 patients with uveal melanoma. The samples underwent BAP1 immunocytochemistry, chromosome 3 ploidy analysis, and gene expression profiling.

Outcomes

Suppression of BAP1 expression was strongly associated with monosomy of chromosome 3 (73%, P=0.000002). Findings from the chromosome 3 ploidy analysis correlated with gene expression profiles.

Limitations

There are still some inconsistencies between findings from BAP1 vs other tests.

Clinical significance

This study suggests that anti-BAP1 reactivity correlates with the findings of chromosome ploidy and gene expression analyses. The authors state that BAP1 is the only prognostic test that allows simultaneous morphologic confirmation and prognostication from needle aspiration biopsy. BAP1 immunocytology may serve as a surrogate for chromosomal ploidy and gene expression profiling.