Melanoma specific protein: occurrence in the urine of patients with halo naevus and vitiligo

Abstract

Melanoma specific protein is immunologically related to altered nervus cell cytoplasm. It is excreted by patients with malignant melanoma but in no other malignancy. The protein was detected in patients with actively developing halo nevi but not when repigmentation is taking place. It also occurs in patients with active vitiligo but in no other pigment condition studied. The protein is a marker of active destruction of nervus cells by immune mechanisms and the release of toxic materials during this immune reaction may be responsible for the production of the halo phenomenon and areas of vitiligo that may be seen elsewhere on the skin.