The Expression of Melanoma Inhibitory Activity on Mast Cells in Child Patients with Cutaneous Mastocytosis

BACKGROUND Cutaneous mastocytosis is a disorder characterized by the proliferation of mast cells in the skin. Melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) is a serum marker for malignant melanoma. However, it has not been known on MIA expression of cutaneous mastocytosis. METHODS We investigated the expression of MIA in 4 child patients with cutaneous mastocytosis immunohistochemically and serum MIA level in 1 patient by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Histopathological examination revealed diffuse mast cell infiltration in the dermis. MIA was positive for infiltrating mast cells in all patients. Serum level of MIA was elevated in 1 patient. CONCLUSION Although it was difficult to assess the significance of elevated serum levels of MIA in child patients, MIA was expressed on infiltrating mast cells in our study. Based on our findings, mast cell-derived MIA might be related to the formation of pigmented regions in cutaneous mastocytosis.