Neuropilin 1 (NRP1), a receptor of
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF), promotes angiogenesis,
tumor growth,
tumor invasion and
metastasis. However, the function of NRP1 in
melanoma progression, as well as the effect of NRP1 expression on the prognosis of patients with
melanoma remains unknown. In the present study, NRP1 expression was examined in 460 cases of melanocytic lesions (28 common
nevi, 51
dysplastic nevi, 250 primary
melanoma and 131 metastatic
melanoma) at different stages, using a tissue microarray. The correlation of NRP1 expression with
melanoma progression, and its prognostic value in patients with
melanoma was examined. In addition, the correlation between
matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and NRP1 expression in patients with
melanoma was analyzed. The results demonstrated that NRP1 expression was significantly increased in primary (56%) and metastatic
melanoma (62%), compared with common
nevi (11%) and
dysplastic nevi (24%). Notably, increased NRP1 expression was correlated with a poorer overall, and disease-specific, 10-year survival (P=0.03 and P=0.002, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that NRP1 is an independent prognostic marker for
melanoma. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between NRP1 and MMP2 expression in
melanoma biopsies was observed, and their concomitant expression was closely correlated with
melanoma patient survival, further supporting the hypothesis that the expression of NRP1 is associated with
melanoma invasion and
metastasis. In conclusion, increased NRP1 expression is associated with
disease progression and reduced survival in patients with
melanoma, and is a promising prognostic molecular marker for this disease.