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Hara N, Sugino H, Saito-Sasaki N, Okada E, Sawada Y. Malignant Melanoma With Neural Marker-Positive Distant Organ Cancers. Cureus 2024; 16:e65594. [PMID: 39192931 PMCID: PMC11349388 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a melanocyte-derived tumor known for its aggressive clinical behavior. Melanocytes originate from the neural crest, which also gives rise to neural tissues. Malignant melanoma can occasionally exhibit neural differentiation. We report a case of a 70-year-old male with malignant melanoma exhibiting neural marker positivity in the absence of typical melanoma markers. The patient initially presented with a dark nodule on his left heel, which was confirmed as malignant melanoma through cytology. Surgical resection and lymph node dissection were performed, revealing atypical melanocytes. Despite postoperative nivolumab treatment, metastases in the brain and lungs were observed. Histological examination of the brain tumor showed neural differentiation markers (thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), cytokeratin 7 (CK7), AE1/AE3, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)) with negative melanoma markers. The patient eventually succumbed to the disease despite multiple treatments. An autopsy revealed multiple organ tumors (brain, duodenum, stomach, liver, and bile duct) negative for melanoma markers but positive for neuroendocrine markers (CD56, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A). This case suggests two possibilities: the coexistence of malignant melanoma with neuroendocrine tumors or a transformation of melanoma into a neuroendocrine phenotype. This case highlights the need for clinicians to consider the potential for melanoma to lose typical markers and transform into neuroendocrine cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsumi Hara
- Dermatology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, JPN
| | - Hitomi Sugino
- Dermatology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, JPN
| | - Natsuko Saito-Sasaki
- Dermatology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, JPN
| | - Etsuko Okada
- Dermatology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, JPN
| | - Yu Sawada
- Dermatology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, JPN
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2
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Callari M, Sola M, Magrin C, Rinaldi A, Bolis M, Paganetti P, Colnaghi L, Papin S. Cancer-specific association between Tau (MAPT) and cellular pathways, clinical outcome, and drug response. Sci Data 2023; 10:637. [PMID: 37730697 PMCID: PMC10511431 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02543-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau (MAPT) is a microtubule-associated protein causing common neurodegenerative diseases or rare inherited frontotemporal lobar degenerations. Emerging evidence for non-canonical functions of Tau in DNA repair and P53 regulation suggests its involvement in cancer. To bring new evidence for a relevant role of Tau in cancer, we carried out an in-silico pan-cancer analysis of MAPT transcriptomic profile in over 10000 clinical samples from 32 cancer types and over 1300 pre-clinical samples from 28 cancer types provided by the TCGA and the DEPMAP datasets respectively. MAPT expression associated with key cancer hallmarks including inflammation, proliferation, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, showing cancer-specific patterns. In some cancer types, MAPT functional networks were affected by P53 mutational status. We identified new associations of MAPT with clinical outcomes and drug response in a context-specific manner. Overall, our findings indicate that the MAPT gene is a potential major player in multiple types of cancer. Importantly, the impact of Tau on cancer seems to be heavily influenced by the specific cellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Sola
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Magrin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Marco Bolis
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Computational Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Milano, Italy
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Core Unit, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - Luca Colnaghi
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Stéphanie Papin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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3
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Clements SA, Kelley BF, Rivera L, Greenway HT. Neurotropic melanoma arising from a neurocristic hamartoma. J Cutan Pathol 2023; 50:197-200. [PMID: 36515639 DOI: 10.1111/cup.14378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neurotropic melanoma is a rare type of malignant melanoma with nerve invasion or neural differentiation. Neurocristic cutaneous hamartoma is a rare, benign tumor of the skin and superficial soft tissue that arises from aberrant migration of neural crest cells. We report a rare case of a 74-year-old man with a clinically diagnosed giant congenital nevus of the right mid-back, histopathologically confirmed to be a neurocristic cutaneous hamartoma, who developed neurotropic spindle cell melanoma within the lesion. The patient was treated with serial re-excisions until clear margins were achieved.
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Fernandez-Flores A, Singh R, Cassarino DS. Top 10 Differential Diagnoses for Desmoplastic Melanoma. Head Neck Pathol 2023; 17:143-153. [PMID: 36928737 PMCID: PMC10063748 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-023-01536-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Desmoplastic melanoma is a rare subtype of melanoma mainly appearing on sun-exposed skin. Clinically, it is many times non-pigmented and therefore the diagnosis is often not suspected. METHODS Review article. RESULTS In this paper we review the main histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of desmoplastic melanoma, as well as the top 10 morphologic differential diagnoses which should be considered in most cases. The histopathological pattern can be many times deceptive, mimicking a scar, a fibrous reaction, a fibrohistiocytic tumor such as a dermatofibroma, a vascular tumor such as angiosarcoma, a smooth muscle tumor such as leiomyosarcoma, or a neural tumor. Although an overlying atypical junctional melanocytic proliferation may be seen in most cases, it is absent in a significant percentage (up to 30%) of cases, making the diagnosis even more difficult in those instances. The range of diagnostic pitfalls is wide, which may present disastrous prognostic consequences. CONCLUSION Desmoplastic melanoma is often a difficult diagnosis to make, as it frequently shows nonspecific clinical findings and overlapping histologic features with many other tumors. However, the potential clinical and prognostic consequences of misdiagnosis as another entity are great. Therefore, this diagnosis must always be kept in mind when encountering spindle cell tumors affecting the head and neck area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Fernandez-Flores
- Department of Histopathology, University Hospital El Bierzo, Ponferrada, Spain
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Hospital de la Reina, Ponferrada, Spain
- Research Department, Institute for Biomedical Research of A Coruña (INIBIC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | | | - David S Cassarino
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Los Angeles Medical Center (LAMC), Southern California Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Southern California Permanent Medical Group, Los Angeles Medical Center, 3867 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
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Amalinei C, Grigoraș A, Lozneanu L, Căruntu ID, Giușcă SE, Balan RA. The Interplay between Tumour Microenvironment Components in Malignant Melanoma. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58030365. [PMID: 35334544 PMCID: PMC8953474 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58030365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma has shown an increasing incidence during the last two decades, exhibiting a large spectrum of locations and clinicopathological characteristics. Although current histopathological, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and molecular methods provide a deep insight into its biological behaviour and outcome, melanoma is still an unpredictable disease, with poor outcome. This review of the literature is aimed at updating the knowledge regarding melanoma’s clinicopathological and molecular hallmarks, including its heterogeneity and plasticity, involving cancer stem cells population. A special focus is given on the interplay between different cellular components and their secretion products in melanoma, considering its contribution to tumour progression, invasion, metastasis, recurrences, and resistance to classical therapy. Furthermore, the influences of the specific tumour microenvironment or “inflammasome”, its association with adipose tissue products, including the release of “extracellular vesicles”, and distinct microbiota are currently studied, considering their influences on diagnosis and prognosis. An insight into melanoma’s particular features may reveal new molecular pathways which may be exploited in order to develop innovative therapeutic approaches or tailored therapy.
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6
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Logotheti S, Richter C, Murr N, Spitschak A, Marquardt S, Pützer BM. Mechanisms of Functional Pleiotropy of p73 in Cancer and Beyond. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:737735. [PMID: 34650986 PMCID: PMC8506118 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.737735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor p73 is a structural and functional homolog of TP53, the most famous and frequently mutated tumor-suppressor gene. The TP73 gene can synthesize an overwhelming number of isoforms via splicing events in 5′ and 3′ ends and alternative promoter usage. Although it originally came into the spotlight due to the potential of several of these isoforms to mimic p53 functions, it is now clear that TP73 has its own unique identity as a master regulator of multifaceted processes in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and cancer. This remarkable functional pleiotropy is supported by a high degree of mechanistic heterogeneity, which extends far-beyond the typical mode of action by transactivation and largely relies on the ability of p73 isoforms to form protein–protein interactions (PPIs) with a variety of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. Importantly, each p73 isoform carries a unique combination of functional domains and residues that facilitates the establishment of PPIs in a highly selective manner. Herein, we summarize the expanding functional repertoire of TP73 in physiological and oncogenic processes. We emphasize how TP73’s ability to control neurodevelopment and neurodifferentiation is co-opted in cancer cells toward neoneurogenesis, an emerging cancer hallmark, whereby tumors promote their own innervation. By further exploring the canonical and non-canonical mechanistic patterns of p73, we apprehend its functional diversity as the result of a sophisticated and coordinated interplay of: (a) the type of p73 isoforms (b) the presence of p73 interaction partners in the cell milieu, and (c) the architecture of target gene promoters. We suppose that dysregulation of one or more of these parameters in tumors may lead to cancer initiation and progression by reactivating p73 isoforms and/or p73-regulated differentiation programs thereof in a spatiotemporally inappropriate manner. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms supporting p73 functional diversity is of paramount importance for the efficient and precise p73 targeting not only in cancer, but also in other pathological conditions where TP73 dysregulation is causally involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Logotheti
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christin Richter
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Nico Murr
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Alf Spitschak
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stephan Marquardt
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte M Pützer
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.,Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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7
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Logotheti S, Marquardt S, Richter C, Sophie Hain R, Murr N, Takan I, Pavlopoulou A, Pützer BM. Neural Networks Recapitulation by Cancer Cells Promotes Disease Progression: A Novel Role of p73 Isoforms in Cancer-Neuronal Crosstalk. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123789. [PMID: 33339112 PMCID: PMC7765507 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer is initiated by alterations in specific genes. However, at late stages, cancer cells become metastatic not necessarily through continuous accumulation of additional mutations, but by hijacking programs of normal embryonic development and reactivating them in an unusual place, at the wrong time. Here, we applied computational and experimental approaches to show that these malignant reactivations include genes that are crucial for the development and function of the nervous system. We use the paradigm of melanoma transition from less invasive to highly aggressive stages in order to show that major players of metastasis, such as TP73 gene products, are implicated in this process. This work provides evidence for interactions between cancer cells and the neuronal system, which may have important future implications for metastasis prevention and cancer management. Abstract Mechanisms governing tumor progression differ from those of initiation. One enigmatic prometastatic process is the recapitulation of pathways of neural plasticity in aggressive stages. Cancer and neuronal cells develop reciprocal interactions via mutual production and secretion of neuronal growth factors, neurothrophins and/or axon guidance molecules in the tumor microenvironment. Understanding cancer types where this process is active, as well as the drivers, markers and underlying mechanisms, has great significance for blocking tumor progression and improving patient survival. By applying computational and systemic approaches, in combination with experimental validations, we provide compelling evidence that genes involved in neuronal development, differentiation and function are reactivated in tumors and predict poor patient outcomes across various cancers. Across cancers, they co-opt genes essential for the development of distinct anatomical parts of the nervous system, with a frequent preference for cerebral cortex and neural crest-derived enteric nerves. Additionally, we show that p73, a transcription factor with a dual role in neuronal development and cancer, simultaneously induces neurodifferentiation and stemness markers during melanoma progression. Our data yield the basis for elucidating driving forces of the nerve–tumor cell crosstalk and highlight p73 as a promising regulator of cancer neurobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Logotheti
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (S.M.); (C.R.); (R.S.H.); (N.M.)
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (B.M.P.); Tel.: +49-381-494-5066/68 (B.M.P.)
| | - Stephan Marquardt
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (S.M.); (C.R.); (R.S.H.); (N.M.)
| | - Christin Richter
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (S.M.); (C.R.); (R.S.H.); (N.M.)
| | - Renée Sophie Hain
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (S.M.); (C.R.); (R.S.H.); (N.M.)
| | - Nico Murr
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (S.M.); (C.R.); (R.S.H.); (N.M.)
| | - Işıl Takan
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey; (I.T.); (A.P.)
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Athanasia Pavlopoulou
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey; (I.T.); (A.P.)
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Brigitte M. Pützer
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (S.M.); (C.R.); (R.S.H.); (N.M.)
- Department Life, Light & Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (B.M.P.); Tel.: +49-381-494-5066/68 (B.M.P.)
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8
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Saggini A, Cota C, Lora V, Kutzner H, Rütten A, Sangüeza O, Requena L, Cerroni L. Uncommon Histopathological Variants of Malignant Melanoma. Part 2. Am J Dermatopathol 2019; 41:321-342. [PMID: 31009411 DOI: 10.1097/dad.0000000000001226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Despite new horizons opened by recent advances in molecular pathology, histological evaluation still remains the diagnostic gold standard regarding cutaneous melanocytic neoplasms. Several histological variants of melanoma have been described, and their knowledge is crucial for accurate diagnosis and classification of cases with unusual clinico-pathological features. Uncommon histological variants of melanoma have been described based on a broad constellation of features, including architectural pattern, stromal alterations, cytological attributes, and other morphological properties. This review is aimed at providing an extensive discussion of unusual but distinctive histopathological variants of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Saggini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Cota
- San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Lora
- San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Heinz Kutzner
- Dermatopathology Friedrichshafen, Friedrichshafen, Germany
| | - Arno Rütten
- Dermatopathology Friedrichshafen, Friedrichshafen, Germany
| | - Omar Sangüeza
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC
| | - Luis Requena
- Department of Dermatology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Cerroni
- Research Unit Dermatopathology, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Frydenlund NF, Mahalingam M. Neurotrophin Receptors and Perineural Invasion: Analyses in Select Lineage-Unrelated Cutaneous Malignancies With a Propensity for Perineural Invasion. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2016; 104:497-531. [PMID: 28215306 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter, we parse the literature on neurotrophins that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of perineural invasion (PNI) in select lineage-unrelated malignancies. We also detail evidence linking neurotrophins and their receptors (TrkA, RET, p75NGFR, and NCAM) to the pathogenesis of PNI in desmoplastic melanoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma-both malignancies with an established propensity for PNI. Lastly, the clinical potential of neurotrophins as receptors for targeted therapies is explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- N F Frydenlund
- University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - M Mahalingam
- VA Consolidated Laboratories, West Roxbury, MA, United States.
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10
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Asad S, Sher I, Peters-Willke J, Jessup P. Neurotropic cutaneous malignant melanoma with contiguous spread to spinal cord, an extremely rare presentation. JOURNAL OF SPINE SURGERY 2016; 2:76-81. [PMID: 27683701 DOI: 10.21037/jss.2016.03.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Neurotropic melanoma (NM) is a rare variant of cutaneous melanomas. Compared with conventional melanoma, NM is more locally aggressive with an increased tendency for local recurrence but less likely for nodal or distant metastases. The often amelanotic, benign appearance may lead to treatment issues such as late presentation, diagnostic delay, misdiagnosis, insufficient surgical margins, and recurrence with resulting poor outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of NM with contiguous spread to the spinal cord. We present a case report of a 73-year-old male with gradual decline in mobility over the period of few months. He deteriorated very rapidly whilst inpatient with progressive myelopathy, loss of sphincter function and dysphonia with dysphagia due to involvement of lower cranial nerves. The neurotropic nature of the disease and prevalence in the head and neck region results in perineural and neural invasion with resulting neuropathies. Patient underwent posterior cervical decompression and resection of the higher cervical intramedullary spinal cord NM lesion. He recovered well with improvement of his limb weakness as well as bulbar function. Wide local excision (WLE) with adjuvant radiotherapy where indicated remains the current practice for treatment, with chemotherapy predominately being reserved as a salvage treatment for patients with disseminated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheikh Asad
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Anatomical Pathology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
| | - Idrees Sher
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Anatomical Pathology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
| | - Jens Peters-Willke
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Anatomical Pathology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
| | - Peter Jessup
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Anatomical Pathology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia
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11
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Fernandez-Flores A, Cassarino DS. Unusual Histopathological Patterns in Melanocytic Nevi With Some Previously Undescribed Patterns. Am J Dermatopathol 2016; 38:167-85. [PMID: 26894768 DOI: 10.1097/dad.0000000000000381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Melanocytic nevi are one of the most common diagnoses in the daily practice of any dermatopathologist. Although in the vast majority of cases the final diagnosis is not difficult, there are certain rare and unusual morphologic variations that can elicit some diagnostic problems. Although some of these variations can be considered as mere morphologic oddities, others might lead to a differential diagnosis with melanoma, or with other tumors, including epithelial or neural tumors. In the current report, we review many of these morphologic variations and discuss the main differential diagnosis, when appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Fernandez-Flores
- *Consultant Histopathologist, Department of Cellular Pathology, Hospital El Bierzo, Ponferrada, Spain; and †Consultant Dermatopathologist, Department of Pathology, Southern California Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Medical Center (LAMC), Los Angeles, CA
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12
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Regulation of viability, differentiation and death of human melanoma cells carrying neural stem cell biomarkers: a possibility for neural trans-differentiation. Apoptosis 2016; 20:996-1015. [PMID: 25953317 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-015-1131-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic development, melanoblasts, the precursors of melanocytes, emerge from a subpopulation of the neural crest stem cells and migrate to colonize skin. Melanomas arise during melanoblast differentiation into melanocytes and from young proliferating melanocytes through somatic mutagenesis and epigenetic regulations. In the present study, we used several human melanoma cell lines from the sequential phases of melanoma development (radial growth phase, vertical growth phase and metastatic phase) to compare: (i) the frequency and efficiency of the induction of cell death via apoptosis and necroptosis; (ii) the presence of neural and cancer stem cell biomarkers as well as death receptors, DR5 and FAS, in both adherent and spheroid cultures of melanoma cells; (iii) anti-apoptotic effects of the endogenous production of cytokines and (iv) the ability of melanoma cells to perform neural trans-differentiation. We demonstrated that programed necrosis or necroptosis, could be induced in two metastatic melanoma lines, FEMX and OM431, while the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis was prevalent in a vast majority of melanoma lines. All melanoma lines used in the current study expressed substantial levels of pluripotency markers, SOX2 and NANOG. There was a trend for increasing expression of Nestin, an early neuroprogenitor marker, during melanoma progression. Most of the melanoma lines, including WM35, FEMX and A375, can grow as a spheroid culture in serum-free media with supplements. It was possible to induce neural trans-differentiation of 1205Lu and OM431 melanoma cells in serum-free media supplemented with insulin. This was confirmed by the expression of neuronal markers, doublecortin and β3-Tubulin, by significant growth of neurites and by the negative regulation of this process by a dominant-negative Rac1N17. These results suggest a relative plasticity of differentiated melanoma cells and a possibility for their neural trans-differentiation without the necessity for preliminary dedifferentiation.
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Hölzel M, Landsberg J, Glodde N, Bald T, Rogava M, Riesenberg S, Becker A, Jönsson G, Tüting T. A Preclinical Model of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor-like Melanoma Is Characterized by Infiltrating Mast Cells. Cancer Res 2015; 76:251-63. [PMID: 26511633 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-1090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human melanomas exhibit considerable genetic, pathologic, and microenvironmental heterogeneity. Genetically engineered mice have successfully been used to model the genomic aberrations contributing to melanoma pathogenesis, but their ability to recapitulate the phenotypic variability of human disease and the complex interactions with the immune system have not been addressed. Here, we report the unexpected finding that immune cell-poor pigmented and immune cell-rich amelanotic melanomas developed simultaneously in Cdk4R24C-mutant mice upon melanocyte-specific conditional activation of oncogenic BrafV600E and a single application of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. Interestingly, amelanotic melanomas showed morphologic and molecular features of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). A bioinformatic cross-species comparison using a gene expression signature of MPNST-like mouse melanomas identified a subset of human melanomas with a similar histomorphology. Furthermore, this subset of human melanomas was found to be highly associated with a mast cell gene signature, and accordingly, mouse MPNST-like melanomas were also extensively infiltrated by mast cells and expressed mast cell chemoattractants similar to human counterparts. A transplantable mouse MPNST-like melanoma cell line recapitulated mast cell recruitment in syngeneic mice, demonstrating that this cell state can directly reconstitute the histomorphologic and microenvironmental features of primary MPNST-like melanomas. Our study emphasizes the importance of reciprocal, phenotype-dependent melanoma-immune cell interactions and highlights a critical role for mast cells in a subset of melanomas. Moreover, our BrafV600E-Cdk4R24C model represents an attractive system for the development of therapeutic approaches that can target the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment characteristic of human melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hölzel
- Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nicole Glodde
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tobias Bald
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Meri Rogava
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefanie Riesenberg
- Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Albert Becker
- Section of Translational Epileptology, Department of Neuropathology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Göran Jönsson
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas Tüting
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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14
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Grigore AD, Ben-Jacob E, Farach-Carson MC. Prostate cancer and neuroendocrine differentiation: more neuronal, less endocrine? Front Oncol 2015; 5:37. [PMID: 25785244 PMCID: PMC4347593 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) marks a structural and functional feature of certain cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa), whereby the malignant tissue contains a significant proportion of cells displaying neuronal, endocrine, or mixed features. NED cells produce, and can secrete, a cocktail of mediators commonly encountered in the nervous system, which may stimulate and coordinate cancer growth. In PCa, NED appears during advanced stages, subsequent to treatment, and accompanies treatment resistance and poor prognosis. However, the term “neuroendocrine” in this context is intrinsically vague. This article seeks to provide a framework on which a unified view of NED might emerge. First, we review the mutually beneficial interplay between PCa and neural structures, mainly supported by cell biology experiments and neurological conditions. Next, we address the correlations between PCa and neural functions, as described in the literature. Based upon the integration of clinical and basic observations, we suggest that it is legitimate to seek for true neural differentiation, or neuromimicry, in cancer progression, most notably in PCa cells exhibiting what is commonly described as NED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Dan Grigore
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University , Houston, TX , USA ; Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University , Houston, TX , USA
| | - Eshel Ben-Jacob
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University , Houston, TX , USA ; Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel ; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel
| | - Mary C Farach-Carson
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University , Houston, TX , USA ; Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University , Houston, TX , USA ; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University , Houston, TX , USA
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15
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Novoa RA, Kovarik CL, Low DW, Argenyi Z. Cutaneous epithelioid melanocytic neurofibroma arising in a patient with neurofibromatosis-1. J Cutan Pathol 2014; 41:457-61. [DOI: 10.1111/cup.12297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto A. Novoa
- University of Pennsylvania; Department of Dermatology; Philadelphia PA USA
| | - Carrie L. Kovarik
- University of Pennsylvania; Department of Dermatology; Philadelphia PA USA
| | - David W. Low
- University of Pennsylvania; Division of Plastic Surgery; Philadelphia PA USA
| | - Zsolt Argenyi
- University of Washington; Department of Pathology; Seattle WA USA
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