Sinonasal melanoma: a systematic review of the prognostic factors

Primary oral and sinonasal mucosal melanomas in Latin America: a systematic review

Primary oral and sinonasal mucosal melanomas (POSNMMs) are aggressive neoplasms with limited therapeutic alternatives. The aim of this review was to characterize the demographic, clinical, immunohistochemical, and molecular information regarding these tumors in the Latin American population. Articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese (1990-2022) retrieved from the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CAS, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Google Academic databases were included. Thirty-three studies, with a total of 1212 cases, were identified. Clinicopathological data were available for 870 cases and immunohistochemical and/or molecular information for 342. Nineteen studies (57.6%) reported cases of oral melanoma, three (9.1%) sinonasal melanoma, and 11 (33.3%) oral and sinonasal melanoma. Fifteen studies (45.5%) provided only clinicopathological data, 12 (36.4%) reported only immunohistochemical data, two (6.1%) shared clinicopathological and immunohistochemical data, one (3.0%) offered clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular data, one (3.0%) provided immunohistochemical and molecular data, one (3.0%) clinicopathological and molecular data, and one (3.0%) only molecular data. The mean age of individuals with POSNMMs was 58 years, and slightly more were male (male 51.3%, female 48.7%). In Latin America, POSNMMs are a rare but aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Although molecular data and targeted therapy are still being researched, data from Latin America indicate the need for multicenter collaborative clinical trials to unite individual and isolated efforts.

Efficacy and Safety of Postoperative Adjuvant Radiation Therapy in Resected Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus Mucosal Melanoma: A Combined Analysis

PURPOSE

Mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (NPMM) is a highly aggressive disease. The role of postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy is controversial.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 300 patients with NPMM treated between March 2009 and January 2020 were divided into surgery alone (SA; 158 patients) and surgery plus radiation therapy (SR; 142 patients) groups. Postoperative radiation therapy was recommended, with a total dose of 65 to 70 Gy/30 to 35 fractions to the gross tumor volume and 60 Gy/30 fractions to the clinical target volume. The primary endpoint was relapse-free survival. Secondary endpoints included local recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 50.0 months, relapse-free survival in the SA and SR groups was 9.8 and 15.2 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.714; 95% CI, 0.546-0.933; P = .014). Distant metastasis-free survival in the SA and SR groups was 23.8 and 21.3 months (HR, 0.896; 95% CI, 15.7-31.9 vs 13.3-29.3; P = .457). Overall survival in the SA and SR groups was 31.0 and 35.1 months (HR, 0.816; 95% CI, 25.7-36.3 vs 27.1-43.2; P = .178). For patients with stage IVA NPMM, radiation therapy reduced the incidence of relapse by 0.43-fold.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative radiation therapy played a crucial role in the local control of resected NPMM, especially in patients with stage T4a or IVA disease.

Novel cellular systems unveil mucosal melanoma initiating cells and a role for PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in mucosal melanoma fitness

BACKGROUND

Mucosal Melanomas (MM) are highly aggressive neoplasms arising from mucosal melanocytes. Current treatments offer a limited survival benefit for patients with advanced MM; moreover, the lack of pre-clinical cellular systems has significantly limited the understanding of their immunobiology.

METHODS

Five novel cell lines were obtained from patient-derived biopsies of MM arising in the sino-nasal mucosa and designated as SN-MM1-5. The morphology, ultrastructure and melanocytic identity of SN-MM cell lines were validated by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, in vivo tumorigenicity of SN-MM1-5 was tested by subcutaneous injection in NOD/SCID mice. Molecular characterization of SN-MM cell lines was performed by a mass-spectrometry proteomic approach, and their sensitivity to PI3K chemical inhibitor LY294002 was validated by Akt activation, measured by pAkt(Ser473) and pAkt(Thr308) in immunoblots, and MTS assay.

RESULTS

This study reports the validation and functional characterization of five newly generated SN-MM cell lines. Compared to the normal counterpart, the proteomic profile of SN-MM is consistent with transformed melanocytes showing a heterogeneous degree of melanocytic differentiation and activation of cancer-related pathways. All SN-MM cell lines resulted tumorigenic in vivo and display recurrent structural variants according to aCGH analysis. Of relevance, the microscopic analysis of the corresponding xenotransplants allowed the identification of clusters of MITF-/CDH1-/CDH2 + /ZEB1 + /CD271 + cells, supporting the existence of melanoma-initiating cells also in MM, as confirmed in clinical samples. In vitro, SN-MM cell lines were sensitive to cisplatin, but not to temozolomide. Moreover, the proteomic analysis of SN-MM cell lines revealed that RICTOR, a subunit of mTORC2 complex, is the most significantly activated upstream regulator, suggesting a relevant role for the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in these neoplasms. Consistently, phosphorylation of NDRG1 and Akt activation was observed in SN-MM, the latter being constitutive and sustained by PTEN loss in SN-MM2 and SN-MM3. The cell viability impairment induced by LY294002 confirmed a functional role for the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in SN-MM cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these novel and unique cellular systems represent relevant experimental tools for a better understanding of the biology of these neoplasms and, as an extension, to MM from other sites.

Definitive treatment for head and neck mucosal melanoma

Head and neck mucosal melanoma is a rare clinical subtype of melanoma or head and neck cancer. Mucosal melanoma is aetiologically and molecularly distinct from cutaneous melanoma. The therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors for head and neck mucosal melanoma remains unclear. Surgery is considered as the mainstay of treatment for locally advanced head and neck mucosal melanoma, and adjuvant radiotherapy has a role in local disease control. New treatment modalities, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, have changed the treatment of cutaneous melanoma. However, patients with mucosal melanoma have been excluded from most Phase III clinical trials. Due to its rarity, outcome data for locally advanced head and neck mucosal melanoma are scarce and are mainly based on retrospective studies with limited case numbers. The objective of this review was to provide an update and overview of clinical trials, prospective observational studies and retrospective studies and discuss future directions for multimodal treatment of locally advanced head and neck mucosal melanoma.

Sinonasal mucosal melanoma treatment response assessment to immune checkpoint inhibitors using hybrid positron emission tomography imaging

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate response of sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SMM) patients to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), using hybrid PET imaging. Fifteen SMM patients underwent hybrid PET imaging before and three months after initiation of ICI. The disease-specific survival (DSS) was calculated. Quantitative PET parameters of the primary tumor and their association with DSS and therapy response were investigated. Nine of the fifteen (60%) patients responded to ICI therapy. Patients with therapy response depicted on hybrid PET imaging had better DSS than those without (p = 0.0058). Quantitative PET parameters of the initial PET harbored no association with DSS or therapy response. However, these findings lack of sufficient statistical power and must be interpreted with caution. The first restaging PET-imaging after ICI initiation can help stratify patients with regard to DSS.

A nomogram for predicting overall survival of patients with sinonasal melanoma: A population-based study

Objective

Sinonasal melanoma (SMM) is a rare but aggressive malignancy with 5-year overall survival (OS) rates below 40% in published studies. However, the clinicopathological predictors of the prognosis of SMM remain undefined. We aimed to establish a model to predict the survival outcomes of SMM.

Methods

We searched the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for patients diagnosed with SMM between 1975 and 2016. Data on patient demographics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes were retrieved. Risk factors for OS were evaluated by survival and Cox regression analyses. We also developed and validated a nomogram for OS, and compared its performance with that of conventional staging systems.

Results

Overall, 305 SMM patients were included in this population-based study. Multivariate Cox regression showed that primary site, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, radiotherapy, and surgery were significant risk factors for survival. A nomogram was established using the regression model. The C-indices, areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis demonstrated reliable performance of the nomogram.

Conclusion

The nomogram predicting survival outcomes of SMM patients based on clinical information showed good discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy compared with conventional stage classifications. Our nomogram could be used to predict the survival probabilities for SMM patients at different timepoints.

Level of Evidence

2b.

Pseudo-malignant paranasal invasive aspergillosis showing bone destruction and FDG uptake on PET/CT: A case report

RATIONALE

Aspergillosis is a rare disease that often occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus or compromised hosts. This study describes a 60-years-old woman with unusual pseudo-malignant paranasal invasive aspergillosis with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake treated by endoscopic sinus surgery. To the best of our knowledge, there are few reported cases of paranasal fungal infection with 18F-FDG uptake.

PATIENTS CONCERNS

A 60-years-old woman was presented with headache and nasal obstruction.

DIAGNOSES

Computed tomography (CT) showed a shadow with bone destruction in the sinus cavity and accumulation of 18F-FDG uptake. The patient was diagnosed with a malignant tumor or pseudo-malignant paranasal invasive aspergillosis.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent endoscopic sinus surgery; no neoplastic lesions were detected in the areas with CT shadows. All the observed fungal mass reservoirs were removed.

OUTCOMES

The patient remained hospitalized for 1 week after the surgery with no significant postoperative abnormalities. There was no recurrence of the disease for 6 months, and the patient's symptoms resolved, indicating a good course of follow-up.

LESSONS

Invasive aspergillosis should be considered a differential disease when positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scans show FDG uptake, CT shows bone destruction, and T2-weighted MRI scans show a low signal.

Sex-Related Differences in Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition

Objectives: We aimed to investigate sex-related differences in patients with advanced melanoma treated with ICI by linking the assessment of inflammatory response in peripheral blood, onset of immune-related adverse events IRAEs during therapy and treatment response in short- and long-term. Methods: For the purpose of this single-center retrospective study metastatic melanoma patients treated with ICI were included. Baseline patient characteristics, blood sample tests and the onset of immune-related adverse events IRAEs were documented based on clinical records. The short-term treatment response was assessed with 18F-2-Fluor-2-desoxy-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography FDG-PET/CT scans performed six months after initiation of ICI. The overall survival OS and progression-free survival PFS were used as endpoints to assess the long-term response to immunotherapy. Results: In total, 103 patients with advanced melanoma (mean age 68 ± 13.83 years) were included, 29 women (mean age 60.41 ± 14.57 years) and 74 men (mean age 65.66 ± 13.34 years). The primary tumor was located on a lower extremity in one out of three women and on the head/neck in one out of three men (p < 0.001). While the superficial spreading (41%) and nodular (36%) melanoma subtypes represented together 77% of the cases in male population, women showed a more heterogenous distribution of melanoma subtypes with the superficial spreading (35%), nodular (23%), acral lentiginous (19%) and mucosal (12%) melanoma subtypes being most frequent in female population (p < 0.001). Most differences between women and men with regards to inflammatory parameters were observed six months after initiation of ICI with a higher median NLR (p = 0.038), lower counts of lymphocytes (p = 0.004) and thrombocytes (p = 0.089) in addition to lower counts of erythrocytes (p < 0.001) and monocytes (p < 0.001) in women towards men. IRAEs were more frequent in women towards men (p = 0.013). Women were more likely to display endocrinological IRAEs, such as thyroiditis being the most frequent adverse event in women. Interestingly IRAEs of the gastrointestinal tract were the most frequent ones in men. Finally, men with advanced melanoma showed a significantly better response to immunotherapy in short- (p = 0.015) and long-term (OS p = 0.015 and PFS p < 0.001) than women. In fact, every fourth man died during the course of the disease, while every second woman did not survive. (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Men with advanced melanoma showed a significantly better response to immunotherapy in short- and long-term than women. Higher immune activation in peripheral blood before and after initiation ICI might be linked to favorable treatment response during and after ICI in favor of men and decoupled from the onset of IRAEs. Given the significantly higher immunotoxicity and worse outcome experienced by women compared to men the use of ICI should be chosen carefully in women with advanced melanoma.

Endoscopic Resection of Nasal Mucosal Melanoma Using Temporary Transseptal Access

Nasal mucosal melanoma (NMM) is a rare tumor with a poor prognosis. Although an endoscopic resection of malignant nasal tumor now becomes a treatment of choice when the surgical margin can be secured, it is still controversial. We report three cases of NMM that was successfully removed en bloc with clear margins by endoscopic surgery with temporal transseptal access. Cases of a 78-year-old woman, an 83-year-old man, and an 81-year-old man with NMM arising from the inferior turbinate who underwent endoscopic resection of the tumor are discussed in detail. We made temporal transseptal access using septal mucosal flaps. We moved the nasal cavity-occupying tumor to the contralateral side to create a working space to perform endoscopic en bloc resections. This technique is simple yet effective and less invasive than open craniofacial resections for removing malignancies arising from the inferior turbinate.

Prognostic Value of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) predict better outcome in several types of cancers. However, the prognostic value of TILs in sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) is uncertain. Here, we investigated whether TILs can be used as a prognostic indicator for survival in SNMM.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Patient history and histologic specimens from 27 patients with primary SNMM were retrospectively analyzed. TIL grade was determined and associations between TILs and AJCC tumor stage, overall survival, and recurrence-free survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients with TILs in the primary tumor classified as brisk or non-brisk survived significantly longer than patients with SNMMs lacking lymphocyte infiltrates. Brisk TILs were associated with the lower T3 stage and increased recurrence-free and 5-year survival.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that TIL density is a strong prognostic factor for better survival in SNMM. Prospective studies with larger case numbers are warranted to determine whether TILs should be included in future AJCC staging guidelines.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 2021.

Mucosal Melanoma: Pathological Evolution, Pathway Dependency and Targeted Therapy

Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare melanoma subtype that originates from melanocytes within sun-protected mucous membranes. Compared with cutaneous melanoma (CM), MM has worse prognosis and lacks effective treatment options. Moreover, the endogenous or exogenous risk factors that influence mucosal melanocyte transformation, as well as the identity of MM precursor lesions, are ambiguous. Consequently, there remains a lack of molecular markers that can be used for early diagnosis, and therefore better management, of MM. In this review, we first summarize the main functions of mucosal melanocytes. Then, using oral mucosal melanoma (OMM) as a model, we discuss the distinct pathologic stages from benign mucosal melanocytes to metastatic MM, mapping the possible evolutionary trajectories that correspond to MM initiation and progression. We highlight key areas of ambiguity during the genetic evolution of MM from its benign lesions, and the resolution of which could aid in the discovery of new biomarkers for MM detection and diagnosis. We outline the key pathways that are altered in MM, including the MAPK pathway, the PI3K/AKT pathway, cell cycle regulation, telomere maintenance, and the RNA maturation process, and discuss targeted therapy strategies for MM currently in use or under investigation.