Normal values of serum S-100B predict prolonged survival for stage IV melanoma patients

The value of normal S-100B levels to predict survival was evaluated in 145 patients with stage IV melanoma. Treatment consisted of temozolomide given alone or was followed by combined cytokine immunotherapy, given every three to four weeks, with an evaluation of response following two treatment-cycles. S-100B values were measured prior to and following each cycle of systemic therapy and regularly thereafter. Patients with normal initial S-100B values (n = 32) had higher response rates and fewer and more favourable metastatic sites with better overall survival rates than patients with elevated S-100B levels (median 14.0 versus 6.6 months). Normal S-100B values increased in nearly all patients (28/31) after a median of 7.9 months. In addition, patients with rapid normalisation of their serum level (n = 12) following systemic treatment experienced prolonged survival. However, upon multivariable analysis S-100B prior to treatment lost its independence as a prognostic factor, whereas lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) remained. When measured after treatment, both markers had independent value.