Expression of CD10 predicts tumor progression and unfavorable prognosis in malignant melanoma

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 65; no. 6; pp. 1152 - 1160
• Main Authors: Oba, Junna, MD, Nakahara, Takeshi, MD, PhD, Hayashida, Sayaka, MD, Kido, Makiko, MD, PhD, Xie, Lining, MD, PhD, Takahara, Masakazu, MD, PhD, Uchi, Hiroshi, MD, PhD, Miyazaki, Shogo, PhD, Abe, Takeru, MA, Hagihara, Akihito, DMSc, MPH, Moroi, Yoichi, MD, PhD, Furue, Masutaka, MD, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01-12-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Breslow thickness; CD10; Dermatology; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; immunohistochemistry; Male; malignant melanoma; Medical sciences; Melanoma - metabolism; Melanoma - mortality; Melanoma - pathology; melanoma-specific survival; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Neprilysin - biosynthesis; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Skin Neoplasms - metabolism; Skin Neoplasms - mortality; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Survival Analysis; tumor progression; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; MM; ALM; malignant melanoma; tumor progression; melanoma-specific survival; Breslow thickness; TIL; tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; acral lentiginous melanoma; immunohistochemistry; prognosis; CD10; Prognosis; Dermatology; Malignant melanoma; Evolution; Malignant tumor; Predictive factor; Cancer
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2010.10.019

Background CD10 expression in malignant melanoma (MM) has been reported to increase according to tumor progression and metastasis; however, its association with patient outcome has not been clarified. Objective We examined the immunohistochemical expression of CD10 in MM to determine whether or not it could serve as a marker for tumor progression and prognosis. Methods A total of 64 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of primary MM were immunostained for CD10. Similarly, 40 samples of melanocytic nevus and 20 of metastatic MM were analyzed for comparison. The following clinicopathologic variables were evaluated: age, gender, histologic type, tumor site, Breslow thickness, Clark level, the presence or absence of ulceration and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and survival. Statistical analyses were performed to assess for associations. Several parameters were analyzed for survival using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. Results Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that 34 of 64 cases (53%) of primary MM expressed CD10, compared with 15 of 20 cases (75%) of metastatic MM and only 4 of 40 cases (10%) of nevus. There was a significant positive relationship between CD10 expression and Breslow thickness, Clark level, and ulceration. Univariate analysis revealed 4 significant factors for shorter survival periods: CD10 expression, high Breslow thickness, high Clark level, and the presence of ulceration ( P < .01 each). In multivariate analysis, CD10 expression was revealed to be a statistically significant and independent prognostic factor. Limitations The major limitation was the small sample size. Conclusion CD10 expression may serve as a progression marker and can predict unfavorable prognosis in patients with MM.