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Parisi F, Aurisicchio L, Pecorari A, Poli A, Millanta F. A Preliminary Evaluation of the Prognostic Role of HER-2 and HER-3 Immunohistochemical Expression in Canine Melanomas. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1400. [PMID: 38791617 PMCID: PMC11117344 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101400] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Canine melanoma is a malignant and aggressive neoplasm showing clinical, histological, and molecular features similar to the human counterpart. In human medicine, epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) have already been suggested as prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets in cutaneous melanoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of HER-2 and HER-3 in canine melanomas by immunohistochemistry and correlate their expression to the clinicopathological parameters of the examined tumors. Thirty-seven canine melanoma samples were recruited. Data regarding signalment and clinical parameters were also collected. The population was composed of 18 cutaneous, 16 oral/mucosal, and three digital/foot pad melanomas. Histopathological investigations were carried out to analyze histological type, ulceration, and mitotic count. On each sample, immunohistochemistry was performed using an anti-Melan-A or anti-Melanoma antigen, i.e., anti-HER-2 and anti-HER-3 antibodies. HER-2 and HER-3 positivity were classified using already established scoring criteria and a statistical analysis was carried out. The results highlighted that HER-2 expression was observed in 48.6% of the samples and HER-3 expression in 18.9%. The highest HER 2 score (3+) was recorded in 16.2% of the samples, while the coexpression of the two receptors was detected in 13.5% of the samples. A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was observed between the expression of HER-2 and HER-3 and the presence of ulceration in oromucosal tumors. This work confirms the expression of HER-2 and HER-3 in canine melanomas and suggests a putative association with negative prognostic parameters. Further studies are necessary to strengthen these data by increasing the samples size and combining pathological examinations with molecular biology in the investigation of EGFR family receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Parisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
| | | | - Arianna Pecorari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Alessandro Poli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Francesca Millanta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
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Smedley RC, Thaiwong T, Deeth LE, Kiupel M. Correlation Between KIT Expression and c-Kit Mutations in 2 Subtypes of Canine Oral Melanocytic Neoplasms. Vet Pathol 2021; 58:683-691. [PMID: 33910439 DOI: 10.1177/03009858211009784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
c-Kit mutations have been reported in 15% to 40% of certain human melanoma subtypes, including those histologically similar to canine oral malignant melanomas. Therapeutic response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors has been demonstrated in those human patients. As canine oral malignant melanomas tend to have a poor prognosis despite aggressive surgical removal, evaluation of KIT expression and identification of c-Kit mutations in canine oral melanocytic neoplasms was performed to determine if there is any indication that tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs might effectively treat any of these cases. This study evaluated 27 canine oral malignant melanomas and 12 canine histologically well-differentiated oral melanocytic neoplasms for activating c-Kit mutations, determined differences in immunohistochemical expression of KIT and c-Kit mutation status, and determined if KIT expression could predict c-Kit mutation status. Among samples that contained intraepithelial nests of neoplastic melanocytes in the KIT-labeled sections, KIT was expressed within cells in these nests in 22/23 (96%) malignant melanomas and 5/7 histologically well-differentiated neoplasms. KIT was expressed in 10% to 30% of neoplastic melanocytes in the lamina propria in 3/24 (13%) malignant melanomas, but 0/9 (0%) histologically well-differentiated neoplasms. Next-generation sequencing identified 85 variants in c-Kit, including 9 nonsynonymous mutations that resulted in amino acid changes predicted to affect protein function. c-Kit mutations with predicted deleterious protein effects were more common in malignant melanomas (8/27 [30%] vs 1/12 [8%]). There was no apparent relationship between detected c-Kit mutations and KIT expression. These results do not support the use of therapies that target c-Kit.
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Sabbah M, Najem A, Krayem M, Awada A, Journe F, Ghanem GE. RTK Inhibitors in Melanoma: From Bench to Bedside. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1685. [PMID: 33918490 PMCID: PMC8038208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) and PI3K/AKT (Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase and Protein Kinase B) pathways play a key role in melanoma progression and metastasis that are regulated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Although RTKs are mutated in a small percentage of melanomas, several receptors were found up regulated/altered in various stages of melanoma initiation, progression, or metastasis. Targeting RTKs remains a significant challenge in melanoma, due to their variable expression across different melanoma stages of progression and among melanoma subtypes that consequently affect response to treatment and disease progression. In this review, we discuss in details the activation mechanism of several key RTKs: type III: c-KIT (mast/stem cell growth factor receptor); type I: EGFR (Epidermal growth factor receptor); type VIII: HGFR (hepatocyte growth factor receptor); type V: VEGFR (Vascular endothelial growth factor), structure variants, the function of their structural domains, and their alteration and its association with melanoma initiation and progression. Furthermore, several RTK inhibitors targeting the same receptor were tested alone or in combination with other therapies, yielding variable responses among different melanoma groups. Here, we classified RTK inhibitors by families and summarized all tested drugs in melanoma indicating the rationale behind the use of these drugs in each melanoma subgroups from preclinical studies to clinical trials with a specific focus on their purpose of treatment, resulted effect, and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Sabbah
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Ahmad Najem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Mohammad Krayem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Ahmad Awada
- Medical Oncolgy Clinic, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Fabrice Journe
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
| | - Ghanem E. Ghanem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (M.S.); (A.N.); (M.K.); (F.J.)
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Strobel SB, Machiraju D, Hülsmeyer I, Becker JC, Paschen A, Jäger D, Wels WS, Bachmann M, Hassel JC. Expression of Potential Targets for Cell-Based Therapies on Melanoma Cells. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11040269. [PMID: 33805080 PMCID: PMC8064084 DOI: 10.3390/life11040269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor antigen-specific redirection of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) or natural killer (NK) cells including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-) and T cell receptor (TCR-) cell therapy is currently being evaluated in different tumor entities including melanoma. Expression of melanoma-specific antigen recognized by the respective CAR or TCR directly or presented by HLA molecules is an indispensable prerequisite for this innovative therapy. In this study, we investigated in 168 FFPE tumor specimens of patients with stage I-IV melanoma the protein expression of HER2, TRP2, ABCB5, gp100, p53, and GD2 by immunohistochemistry (IHC). These results were correlated with clinical parameters. Membrane expression of HER2 and GD2 was also investigated in ten melanoma cell lines by flow cytometry for which corresponding tumors were analyzed by IHC. Our results demonstrated that gp100 was the most frequently overexpressed protein (61%), followed by TRP2 (50%), GD2 (38%), p53 (37%), ABCB5 (17%), and HER2 (3%). TRP2 expression was higher in primary tumors compared to metastases (p = 0.005). Accordingly, TRP2 and ABCB5 expression was significantly associated with lower tumor thickness of the primary (p = 0.013 and p = 0.025). There was no association between protein expression levels and survival in advanced melanoma patients. Flow cytometric analysis revealed abundant surface expression of GD2 and HER2 in all melanoma cell lines. The discordant HER2 expression in situ and in vitro suggests a tissue culture associated induction. In summary, our data support the use of gp100 and GD2 as a potential target for developing engineered TCR- or CAR-cell therapies, respectively, against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia B. Strobel
- Department of Dermatology and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.B.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Devayani Machiraju
- Department of Dermatology and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.B.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Ingrid Hülsmeyer
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.H.); (J.C.B.); (A.P.); (W.S.W.)
| | - Jürgen C. Becker
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.H.); (J.C.B.); (A.P.); (W.S.W.)
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 45141 Essen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Annette Paschen
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.H.); (J.C.B.); (A.P.); (W.S.W.)
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, German Cancer Research Center, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.H.); (J.C.B.); (A.P.); (W.S.W.)
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany;
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital ‘Carl Gustav Carus’, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC) ‘Carl Gustav Carus’, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jessica C. Hassel
- Department of Dermatology and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.B.S.); (D.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Veloso ES, Gonçalves INN, Silveira TL, Oliveira FS, Vieira DS, Cassali GD, Del Puerto HL, Ferreira E. Diverse roles of epidermal growth factors receptors in oral and cutaneous canine melanomas. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:24. [PMID: 31996230 PMCID: PMC6988198 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-2249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epidermal growth factor receptors participate in the physiological processes such as regulation of morphogenesis, proliferation and cell migration, but when overexpressed or overactivated they may play an important role in neoplastic progression. Melanoma is the most aggressive skin neoplasm and is characterized by elevated invasion and low survival rates in both humans and dogs. In human melanomas the overexpression of EGFR, HER3 or HER4 is associated with poor prognosis. In canine melanomas the epidermal growth factor receptors expression has not been evaluated. Therefore, this study evaluated the expression of epidermal growth factor receptors by immunohistochemistry and investigated their relationship with morphological characteristics and proliferative indices in cutaneous and oral canine melanoma. RESULTS In cutaneous melanoma an increased proliferative index was associated with increased cytoplasmic HER4 and reduced EGFR and HER3 protein expression. In oral melanomas, membranous HER2 protein expression correlated with occurrence of emboli, but ERBB2 gene amplification wasn't observed. CONCLUSION Thus, our work evidenced the relationship between HER4 and the stimulus to cell proliferation in cutaneous melanomas, in addition to the relationship between HER2 and the occurrence of emboli in oral melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerson Soares Veloso
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Ivy Nayra Nascimento Gonçalves
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Tatiany Luiza Silveira
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Fernando Soares Oliveira
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Déborah Soares Vieira
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Geovanni Dantas Cassali
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Helen Lima Del Puerto
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Enio Ferreira
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
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Ma J, Han H, Liu D, li W, Feng H, Xue X, Wu X, Niu G, Zhang G, Zhao Y, Liu C, Tao H, Gao B. HER2 as a promising target for cytotoxicity T cells in human melanoma therapy. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73261. [PMID: 24015299 PMCID: PMC3754977 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-HER2/neu antibody therapy has been reported to mediate tumor regression of HER2/ neu(+) tumors. Here we demonstrated the expression of HER2 in a wide range of human melanoma cells including a primary culture and seven cell lines, and we further investigated whether HER2 could be served as a target for T cell mediated immunotherapy of human melanoma. Specific cytolytic activity of activated T cells (ATC) armed with anti-CD3 x anti-HER2 bispecific antibody (HER2Bi-Ab) against Malme-3M-luc cells was evaluated by bioluminescent signal generated by luciferase reporter which did not alter HER2 expression or proliferation ability of Malme-3M cells. Contrast with unarmed ATC, increased cytotoxic activity of HER2Bi-armed ATC against Malme-3M-luc cells was observed at effector/target (E/T) ratios of 1:1, 5:1, and 20:1. Moreover, HER2Bi-armed ATC expressed higher level of activation marker CD69 and secreted significantly higher level of IFN-γ than unarmed ATC counterpart at the E/T ratio of 20:1. In addition, compared with anti-HER2 mAb (Herceptin®) or unarmed ATC, HER2Bi-armed ATC showed remarkable suppression effect on Malme-3M-luc tumor cells. Furthermore, in melanoma tumor cell xenograft mice, infusion of HER2Bi-armed ATC successfully inhibited the growth of melanoma tumors. The anti-tumor effect of HER2Bi-armed ATC may provide a promising immunotherapy for melanoma in the future.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bispecific/immunology
- Antibodies, Bispecific/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/immunology
- Antibodies, Neoplasm/pharmacology
- CD3 Complex/immunology
- CD3 Complex/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/immunology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Humans
- K562 Cells
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Melanoma/drug therapy
- Melanoma/immunology
- Melanoma/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, SCID
- Receptor, ErbB-2/genetics
- Receptor, ErbB-2/immunology
- Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Huamin Han
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Deruo Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wei li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Hongxiang Feng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xin Xue
- Department of Immunology, Basic Medical Theory of Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoran Wu
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Ge Niu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Ge Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yunfeng Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Changzhen Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Hua Tao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Bin Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
- China-Japan Joint Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
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Chu PY, Pan SL, Liu CH, Lee J, Yeh LS, Liao AT. KIT gene exon 11 mutations in canine malignant melanoma. Vet J 2012; 196:226-30. [PMID: 23069279 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2012] [Revised: 08/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The proto-oncogene KIT encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase which has been shown to be upregulated in canine melanomas. KIT mutations lead to constitutive phosphorylation and activation of KIT in the absence of ligand binding. The presence of KIT mutations and KIT protein expression was examined in a cohort of 49 dogs with canine malignant melanoma. An exon 11 synonymous nucleotide 1743C→T mutation was identified in five cases in which one also harbored a L579P mutation. Tumors that harbored the KIT exon 11 mutation(s) correlated significantly with disease recurrence (P = 0.05). All 36 melanomas available for immunohistochemical analysis showed either weak (16 cases, 44.4%) or strong (20 cases, 55.6%) expression of the KIT protein. The five KIT mutation carriers were all strongly positive for KIT by immunohistochemical staining. These findings suggest that a subset of canine malignant melanomas harbors a KIT exon 11 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yi Chu
- Department of Pathology, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chiayi 60069, Taiwan
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Pilloni L, Bianco P, Difelice E, Cabras S, Castellanos ME, Atzori L, Ferreli C, Mulas P, Nemolato S, Faa G. The usefulness of c-Kit in the immunohistochemical assessment of melanocytic lesions. Eur J Histochem 2011; 55:e20. [PMID: 22193299 PMCID: PMC3284155 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2011.e20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
C-Kit (CD117), the receptor for the stem cell factor, a growth factor for melanocyte migration and proliferation, has shown differential immunostaining in various benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. The purpose of this study is to compare c-Kit immunostaining in benign nevi and in primary and metastatic malignant melanomas, to determine whether c-Kit can aid in the differential diagnosis of these lesions. c-Kit immunostaining was performed in 60 cases of pigmented lesions, including 39 benign nevi (5 blue nevi, 5 intradermal nevi, 3 junctional nevi, 15 cases of primary compound nevus, 11 cases of Spitz nevus), 18 cases of primary malignant melanoma and 3 cases of metastatic melanoma. The vast majority of nevi and melanomas examined in this study were positive for c-Kit, with minimal differences between benign and malignant lesions. C-Kit cytoplasmatic immunoreactivity in the intraepidermal proliferating nevus cells, was detected in benign pigmented lesions as well as in malignant melanoma, increasing with the age of patients (P=0.007) in both groups. The patient's age at presentation appeared to be the variable able to cluster benign and malignant pigmented lesions. The percentage of c-Kit positive intraepidermal nevus cells was better associated with age despite other variables (P=0.014). The intensity and percentage of c-Kit positivity in the proliferating nevus cells in the dermis was significantly increased in malignant melanocytic lesions (P=0.015 and P=0.008) compared to benign lesions (compound melanocytic nevi, Spitz nevi, intradermal nevi, blue nevi). Immunostaning for c-Kit in metastatic melanomas was negative. Interestingly in two cases of melanoma occurring on a pre-existent nevus, the melanoma tumor cells showed strong cytoplasmatic and membranous positivity for c-kit, in contrast with the absence of any immunoreactivity in pre-existent intradermal nevus cells. C-Kit does not appear to be a strong immunohistochemical marker for distinguishing melanoma from melanocytic nevi, if we consider c-Kit expression in intraepidermal proliferating cells. The c-Kit expression in proliferating melanocytes in the dermis could help in the differential diagnosis between a superficial spreading melanoma (with dermis invasion) and a compound nevus or an intradermal nevus. Finally, c-Kit could be a good diagnostic tool for distinguishing benign compound nevi from malignant melanocytic lesions with dermis invasion and to differentiate metastatic melanoma from primary melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Pilloni
- Department of Cytomorphology, Division of Pathology, University of Cagliari, via Ospedale, 54, 09124 Cagliari, Italy.
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9
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Different Patterns of Expression of the erbB Family of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Common Nevi, Dysplastic Nevi, and Primary Malignant Melanomas: An Immunohistochemical Study. Am J Dermatopathol 2010; 32:665-75. [DOI: 10.1097/dad.0b013e3181d1e6f0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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10
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Kyrgidis A, Tzellos TG, Triaridis S. Melanoma: Stem cells, sun exposure and hallmarks for carcinogenesis, molecular concepts and future clinical implications. J Carcinog 2010; 9:3. [PMID: 20442802 PMCID: PMC2862505 DOI: 10.4103/1477-3163.62141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 03/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The classification and prognostic assessment of melanoma is currently based on morphologic and histopathologic biomarkers. Availability of an increasing number of molecular biomarkers provides the potential for redefining diagnostic and prognostic categories and utilizing pharmacogenomics for the treatment of patients. The aim of the present review is to provide a basis that will allow the construction–or reconstruction–of future melanoma research. Methods: We critically review the common medical databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane CENTRAL) for studies reporting on molecular biomarkers for melanoma. Results are discussed along the hallmarks proposed for malignant transformation by Hanahan and Weinberg. We further discuss the genetic basis of melanoma with regard to the possible stem cell origin of melanoma cells and the role of sunlight in melanoma carcinogenesis. Results: Melanocyte precursors undergo several genome changes –UV-induced or not– which could be either mutations or epigenetic. These changes provide stem cells with abilities to self-invoke growth signals, to suppress antigrowth signals, to avoid apoptosis, to replicate without limit, to invade, proliferate and sustain angiogenesis. Melanocyte stem cells are able to progressively collect these changes in their genome. These new potential functions, drive melanocyte precursors to the epidermis were they proliferate and might cause benign nevi. In the epidermis, they are still capable of acquiring new traits via changes to their genome. With time, such changes could add up to transform a melanocyte precursor to a malignant melanoma stem cell. Conclusions: Melanoma cannot be considered a “black box” for researchers anymore. Current trends in the diagnosis and prognosis of melanoma are to individualize treatment based on molecular biomarkers. Pharmacogenomics constitute a promising field with regard to melanoma patients' treatment. Finally, development of novel monoclonal antibodies is expected to complement melanoma patient care while a number of investigational vaccines could find their way into everyday oncology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanassios Kyrgidis
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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11
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Torres-Cabala CA, Wang WL, Trent J, Yang D, Chen S, Galbincea J, Kim KB, Woodman S, Davies M, Plaza JA, Nash JW, Prieto VG, Lazar AJ, Ivan D. Correlation between KIT expression and KIT mutation in melanoma: a study of 173 cases with emphasis on the acral-lentiginous/mucosal type. Mod Pathol 2009; 22:1446-56. [PMID: 19718013 PMCID: PMC4120323 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2009.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The role of immunohistochemistry in the assessment of KIT status in melanomas, especially acral lentiginous/mucosal, is not well established. Although the reported prevalence of KIT mutations in acral lentiginous/mucosal melanomas is relatively low, detection of mutations in KIT can have profound therapeutic implications. We evaluated the efficacy of immunohistochemistry to predict mutations in KIT. One hundred seventy-three tumors, comprising primary and metastatic melanomas (141 acral lentiginous/mucosal, 5 nodular, 4 lentigo maligna, 3 superficial spreading, 2 uveal, 1 melanoma of soft parts, 8 metastases from unclassified primaries, and 9 metastases from unknown primaries) were studied. Immunohistochemical expression of KIT using an anti-CD117 antibody and KIT mutational analysis by gene sequencing of exons 11, 13, and 17 were performed. Eighty-one percent of acral lentiginous/mucosal melanomas, primary and metastatic, showed KIT expression by at least 5% of the tumor cells. The overall frequency of activating KIT gene mutations in acral lentiginous/mucosal melanomas was 15% (14 out of 91 cases), being the L576P mutation in exon 11 the most frequently detected (4 of 14 cases). Cases showing less than 10% positive tumor cells were negative for KIT mutations. Eighty-two percent (12 of 14) of cases positive for KIT mutation showed KIT expression in more than 50% of the cells. An association between immunohistochemical expression of KIT and mutation status was found (P=0.007). Immunohistochemical expression of KIT in less than 10% of the cells of the invasive component of acral lentiginous/mucosal melanomas appears to be a strong negative predictor of KIT mutation and therefore can potentially be used to triage cases for additional KIT genotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Torres-Cabala
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA.
| | - Wei-Lien Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan Trent
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Su Chen
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John Galbincea
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kevin B Kim
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Scott Woodman
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jose A Plaza
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - JW Nash
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Victor G Prieto
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander J Lazar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Doina Ivan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas—MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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13
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Gould Rothberg BE, Bracken MB, Rimm DL. Tissue biomarkers for prognosis in cutaneous melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst 2009; 101:452-74. [PMID: 19318635 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djp038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the clinical management of early-stage cutaneous melanoma, it is critical to determine which patients are cured by surgery alone and which should be treated with adjuvant therapy. To assist in this decision, many groups have made an effort to use molecular information. However, although there are hundreds of studies that have sought to assess the potential prognostic value of molecular markers in predicting the course of cutaneous melanoma, at this time, no molecular method to improve risk stratification is part of recommended clinical practice. To help understand this disconnect, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature that reported immunohistochemistry-based protein biomarkers of melanoma outcome. Three parallel search strategies were applied to the PubMed database through January 15, 2008, to identify cohort studies that reported associations between immunohistochemical expression and survival outcomes in melanoma that conformed to the REMARK criteria. Of the 102 cohort studies, we identified only 37 manuscripts, collectively describing 87 assays on 62 distinct proteins, which met all inclusion criteria. Promising markers that emerged included melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM)/MUC18 (all-cause mortality [ACM] hazard ratio [HR] = 16.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.80 to 70.28), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (melanoma-specific mortality [MSM] HR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.32 to 5.07), Ki-67 (combined ACM HR = 2.66; 95% CI = 1.41 to 5.01), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (ACM HR = 2.27; 95% CI = 1.56 to 3.31), and p16/INK4A (ACM HR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.83, MSM HR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.67). We further noted incomplete adherence to the REMARK guidelines: 14 of 27 cohort studies that failed to adequately report their methods and nine studies that failed to either perform multivariable analyses or report their risk estimates were published since 2005.
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Rodríguez H, Tamayo C, Vacarisas P, Inostroza J, Carlos Araya J, Suazo I, Sánchez P, Olías B, Espinoza-Navarro O. Glándula pineal humana, factores reguladores de la producción de melatonina: morfometría, celularidad y células c-kit. Rev Int Androl 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s1698-031x(07)74079-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Frota AC, Odashiro AN, Pereira PR, Fernandes BF, Godeiro KD, Filho JPS, Burnier MN. Immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 and c-kit in metastatic uveal melanoma. Can J Ophthalmol 2007. [DOI: 10.3129/can.j.ophthalmol.06-109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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16
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Glatz-Krieger K, Pache M, Tapia C, Fuchs A, Savic S, Glatz D, Mihatsch M, Meyer P. Anatomic site-specific patterns of gene copy number gains in skin, mucosal, and uveal melanomas detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Virchows Arch 2006; 449:328-33. [PMID: 16523260 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-006-0167-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2005] [Accepted: 01/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
To assess the differences between melanomas of different location and different etiology, 372 malignant melanomas were brought in a tissue microarray format. The collection included 23 acral and 118 non-acral skin melanomas, 9 mucosal melanomas, 100 uveal melanomas, and 122 melanoma metastases. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to assess copy number changes of the cyclin D1 (CCND1), MDM2, c-myc (MYC), and HER2 genes. FISH analysis revealed distinct differences between melanomas from different locations. CCND1 amplifications were detected in skin melanomas from sites with chronic sun exposure (6 of 32 cases), acral melanomas (4 of 17 cases), and mucosal melanomas (one of ten cases) but not in uveal melanomas. High-level MDM2 amplifications were exclusively present in acral melanomas (2 of 19 cases). MYC copy number gains were detected in 32 of 71 uveal melanomas, five of eight mucosal melanomas, and 6 of 67 melanomas from sites with intermittent sun exposure but not in acral melanomas nor melanomas from sites with chronic sun exposure. Alterations of the MYC gene were associated with advanced tumor stage. There were no high-level HER2 amplifications. Site-specific genetic and epigenetic features may impact the response of melanomas to various anti-cancer drugs and should be considered in future studies on the molecular pathogenesis of malignant melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Glatz-Krieger
- Institute for Pathology, University of Basel, Schoenbeinstrasse 40, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland.
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Pereira PR, Odashiro AN, Marshall JC, Correa ZM, Belfort R, Burnier MN. The role of c-kit and imatinib mesylate in uveal melanoma. J Carcinog 2005; 4:19. [PMID: 16236162 PMCID: PMC1282581 DOI: 10.1186/1477-3163-4-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2005] [Accepted: 10/19/2005] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults, leading to metastasis in 40% of the cases and ultimately to death in 10 years, despite local and/or systemic treatment. The c-kit protein (CD117) is a membrane-bound tyrosine kinase receptor and its overexpression has been observed in several neoplasms. Imatinib mesylate is a FDA approved compound that inhibits tyrosine quinase receptors, as well as c-kit. Imatinib mesylate controls tumor growth in up to 85% of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors, a neoplasia resistant to conventional therapy. Methods Fifty-five specimens of primary UM selected from the archives of the Ocular Pathology Laboratory, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, were immunostained for c-kit. All cells displaying distinct immunoreactivity were considered positive. Four human UM cell lines and 1 human uveal transformed melanocyte cell line were tested for in vitro proliferation Assays (TOX-6) and invasion assay with imatinib mesylate (concentration of 10 μM). Results The c-kit expression was positive in 78.2% of the UM. There was a statistical significant decrease in the proliferation and invasion rates of all 5 cell lines. Conclusion The majority of UM expressed c-kit, and imatinib mesylate does decrease the proliferation and invasion rates of human UM cell lines. These results justify the need for a clinical trial to investigate in vivo the response of UM to imatinib mesylate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Rusa Pereira
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal – Canada
| | - Alexandre Nakao Odashiro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal – Canada
| | - Jean Claude Marshall
- Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal – Canada
| | - Zelia Maria Correa
- Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal – Canada
| | - Rubens Belfort
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miguel N Burnier
- Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal – Canada
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Willmore-Payne C, Holden JA, Tripp S, Layfield LJ. Human malignant melanoma: detection of BRAF- and c-kit-activating mutations by high-resolution amplicon melting analysis. Hum Pathol 2005; 36:486-93. [PMID: 15948115 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2005.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Activating mutations in the BRAF kinase have been reported in a large number of cases of malignant melanoma. This suggests that therapy with specific RAF kinase inhibitors may find use in treating this disease. If the response to RAF kinase inhibition is dependent on the presence of an activated BRAF protein, it will be necessary to evaluate cases of malignant melanoma for the presence or absence of BRAF mutations. High-resolution amplicon melting analysis is able to detect single base-pair changes in DNA isolated from paraffin-embedded tissue sections and obviates the need for direct DNA sequencing. Results can be available within 48 hours. In this report, we used high-resolution amplicon melting analysis to evaluate 90 cases of malignant melanoma for BRAF mutations. Of these 90 cases, 74 were metastatic melanomas, 12 were primary cutaneous melanomas, and 4 were in situ melanomas. BRAF activation mutations were found in 43 cases (48%). Forty-one of these mutations were in exon 15. The mutations in exon 15 included V600E (34 cases), V600K (6 cases), and V600R (1 case). Two activating mutations were found in exon 11, G469V and G469R. The presence or absence of a BRAF mutation in the junctional component of an invasive melanoma was maintained in the invasive component. We also evaluated these 90 cases, as well as an additional 10 cases (total of 100) for the expression of c-kit. The majority of invasive and metastatic malignant melanomas did not express c-kit, although all in situ lesions and the junctional components of invasive lesions were strongly c-kit positive. Surprisingly, 2 cases of metastatic malignant melanoma (2%) showed strong and diffuse c-kit expression and contained a c-kit-activating mutation, L576P, as detected by high-resolution amplicon melting analysis and confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. These 2 c-kit mutation-positive cases did not contain BRAF mutations. The presence of a c-kit-activating mutation in metastatic malignant melanoma suggests that a small number of melanomas may progress by a somatic mutation of the c-kit gene. The presence of BRAF- and c-kit-activating mutations in malignant melanoma suggests new approaches to treating this disease involving specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors may prove worthwhile and that mutation analysis by high-resolution melting analysis might help guide therapy.
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Janku F, Novotny J, Julis I, Julisova I, Pecen L, Tomancova V, Kocmanova G, Krasna L, Krajsova I, Stork J, Petruzelka L. KIT receptor is expressed in more than 50% of early-stage malignant melanoma: a retrospective study of 261 patients. Melanoma Res 2005; 15:251-6. [PMID: 16034302 DOI: 10.1097/00008390-200508000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The c-kit gene encodes a transmembrane receptor (KIT) with tyrosine kinase activity which is a specific target for anti-cancer therapy. We investigated KIT expression in a group of patients with early-stage malignant melanoma. Primary tumour specimens obtained from 261 radically resected patients with stage I and II malignant melanoma were examined for KIT expression. Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues were stained with the polyclonal rabbit anti-human anti-KIT antibody (Dako Cytomation Inc., Carpenteria, California, USA). Patients were classified into four groups according to the level of expression (0%, <30%, 30-60% and >60%). Univariate and multivariate analyses examining the impact of KIT expression, Breslow thickness, Clark level and microscopic ulceration on disease-free survival were performed. Within the population of 261 patients with early-stage melanoma with 62 recurrences during a follow-up of 64 months, KIT expression was found in 144 cases (55%). KIT was expressed in more than 60% of cells in 20 patients (8%), in 30-60% of cells in 64 patients (24%) and in less than 30% of cells in 60 patients (23%). KIT expression was not found in 117 patients (45%). In univariate analyses, the influence of KIT expression on disease-free survival was not proven (P=0.4956; log-rank test). Increasing Breslow thickness, a higher Clark level, the presence of microscopic ulceration and a higher stage were significantly associated with a shorter disease-free survival (P<0.0001; log-rank test in all cases). In multivariate analysis, Breslow thickness, stage and KIT expression were significant negative prognostic factors for a shorter disease-free survival (P<0.0001, P=0.0028, P=0.0488, respectively; stepwise Cox regression model). It can be concluded that KIT is expressed in more than one-half of early-stage malignant melanoma. KIT may serve as an additive prognostic factor to Breslow thickness and stage within the tested population. The therapeutic impact of KIT expression in malignant melanoma is uncertain. Results of ongoing pilot phase II studies may validate the efficacy of imatinib mesylate in malignant melanoma expressing KIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Janku
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, General Teaching Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Ugurel S, Hildenbrand R, Zimpfer A, La Rosée P, Paschka P, Sucker A, Keikavoussi P, Becker JC, Rittgen W, Hochhaus A, Schadendorf D. Lack of clinical efficacy of imatinib in metastatic melanoma. Br J Cancer 2005; 92:1398-405. [PMID: 15846297 PMCID: PMC2362005 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2005] [Revised: 02/23/2005] [Accepted: 02/23/2005] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
This two-centre phase-II trial aimed at investigating the efficacy of imatinib in metastasised melanoma patients in correlation to the tumour expression profile of the imatinib targets c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R). The primary study end point was objective response according to RECIST, secondary end points were safety, overall and progression-free survival. In all, 18 patients with treatment-refractory advanced melanoma received imatinib 800 mg day(-1). In 16 evaluable patients no objective responses could be observed. The median overall survival was 3.9 months, the median time to progression was 1.9 months. Tumour biopsy specimens were obtained from 12 patients prior to imatinib therapy and analysed for c-kit, PDGF-Ralpha and -Rbeta expression by immunohistochemistry. In four cases, cell lines established from these tumour specimens were tested for the antiproliferative effects of imatinib and for functional mutations of genes encoding the imatinib target molecules. The tumour specimens stained positive for CD117/c-kit in nine out of 12 cases (75%), for PDGF-Ralpha in seven out of 12 cases (58%) and for PDGF-Rbeta in eight out of 12 cases (67%). The melanoma cell lines showed a heterogenous expression of the imatinib target molecules without functional mutations in the corresponding amino-acid sequences. In vitro imatinib treatment of the cell lines showed no antiproliferative effect. In conclusion, this study did not reveal an efficacy of imatinib in advanced metastatic melanoma, regardless of the expression pattern of the imatinib target molecules c-kit and PDGF-R.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ugurel
- German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
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