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Huber R, Lee J, Borretta L, Tessier-Cloutier B, Lum A, Yip S, Horst BA. TERT promoter mutations in atypical melanocytic lesions: A series of seven cases with adverse melanoma-specific outcome. Hum Pathol 2024; 144:34-39. [PMID: 38224873 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2024.01.003] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The majority of melanocytic proliferations can be readily categorized as benign or malignant based on histologic assessment under the microscope by a trained dermatopathologist. However, a subset of lesions, termed Atypical Melanocytic Proliferations (AMPs), are histologically ambiguous, leading to possible diagnostic error and suboptimal treatment. Mutations in the promoter region of the catalytic subunit of telomerase, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), are commonly found in melanomas but are rare in melanocytic nevi. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hot spot TERT promoter (TERT-p) mutations in AMPs with adverse melanoma-specific outcome. Studies were approved by respective institutional review boards. Using a multi-center database, we identified seven cases of melanocytic proliferations with a clinical follow-up period of at least 4 years, which were initially diagnosed as AMPs, and which recurred either as melanoma at site of prior biopsy or as metastatic melanoma. Sequencing of the TERT-p region showed hotspot mutations in three cases (43 %), suggesting that TERT-p mutations are enriched and could aid in the identification of AMPs with adverse outcome. In comparison with existing ancillary techniques for prognostication of AMPs, TERT-p mutation analysis may have advantages in terms of cost effectiveness and turnaround time, and is a promising diagnostic parameter with potential widespread utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reed Huber
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Jonathan Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Lisa Borretta
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | | | - Amy Lum
- Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Stephen Yip
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Basil A Horst
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
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