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Forchhammer S, Aebischer V, Lenders D, Seitz CM, Schroeder C, Liebmann A, Abele M, Wild H, Bien E, Krawczyk M, Schneider DT, Brecht IB, Flatz L, Hahn M. Characterization of PRAME immunohistochemistry reveals lower expression in pediatric melanoma compared to adult melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2024. [PMID: 38509752 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13167] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Pediatric melanomas are rare tumors that have clinical and histological differences from adult melanomas. In adult melanoma, the immunohistochemical marker PRAME is increasingly employed as a diagnostic adjunct. PRAME is also under investigation as a target structure for next-generation immunotherapies including T-cell engagers. Little is known about the characteristics of PRAME expression in pediatric melanoma. In this retrospective study, samples from 25 pediatric melanomas were compared with control groups of melanomas in young adults (18-30 years; n = 32), adult melanoma (>30 years, n = 30), and benign melanocytic nevi in children (0-18 years; n = 30) with regard to the immunohistochemical expression of PRAME (diffuse PRAME expression >75%/absolute expression). Pediatric melanomas show lower diffuse PRAME expression (4%) and lower absolute PRAME expression (25%) compared to young adult melanomas (15.6%/46.8%) and adult melanomas (50%/70%). A significant age-dependent expression could be observed. An analysis of event-free survival shows no prognostic role for PRAME in pediatric melanoma and young adult melanoma, but a significant association with diffuse PRAME expression in adulthood. The age dependency of PRAME expression poses a potential pitfall in the diagnostic application of melanocytic tumors in young patients and may limit therapeutic options within this age group. The immunohistochemical expression of the tumor-associated antigen PRAME is an increasingly important diagnostic marker for melanocytic tumors and is gaining attention as a possible immunotherapeutic target in melanoma. As the available data primarily stem from adult melanoma, and given the clinical and histological distinctions in pediatric melanomas, our understanding of PRAME expression in this specific patient group remains limited. The age-dependent low PRAME expression shown here constrains the use of this marker in pediatric melanoma and may also limit the use of immunotherapeutic strategies against PRAME in young patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Forchhammer
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Valentin Aebischer
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniela Lenders
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian M Seitz
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christopher Schroeder
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Liebmann
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Abele
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hannah Wild
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ewa Bien
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Krawczyk
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dominik T Schneider
- Clinic of Pediatrics, Dortmund Municipal Hospital, University Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ines B Brecht
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lukas Flatz
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Hahn
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Chatzopoulos K, Syrnioti A, Linos K. Spitz Melanocytic Tumors: A Fascinating 75-Year Journey. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:195. [PMID: 38397186 PMCID: PMC10887813 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last 75 years, our understanding of Spitz lesions has undergone substantial evolution. Initially considered a specific type of melanoma, the perception has shifted towards recognizing Spitz lesions as a spectrum comprising Spitz nevi, Spitz melanocytomas, and Spitz melanomas. Spitz lesions are known for posing a significant diagnostic challenge regarding the distinction between benign neoplasms displaying atypical traits and melanomas. A comprehensive understanding of their molecular basis and genomic aberrations has significantly improved precision in classifying and diagnosing these challenging lesions. The primary aim of this review is to encapsulate the current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and distinct clinicopathologic characteristics defining this intriguing set of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos Chatzopoulos
- Department of Pathology, Aristotle University, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Antonia Syrnioti
- Department of Pathology, Aristotle University, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.C.); (A.S.)
| | - Konstantinos Linos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Urso C. Spitz Tumors and Melanoma in the Genomic Age: A Retrospective Look at Ackerman's Conundrum. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5834. [PMID: 38136379 PMCID: PMC10741987 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245834] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
After 25 years, "Ackerman's conundrum", namely, the distinction of benign from malignant Spitz neoplasms, remains challenging. Genomic studies have shown that most Spitz tumors harbor tyrosine and serine/threonine kinase fusions, including ALK, ROS1, NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3, BRAF and MAP3K8, or some mutations, such as HRAS and MAP3K8. These chromosomal abnormalities act as drivers, initiating the oncogenetic process and conferring basic bio-morphological features. Most Spitz tumors show no additional genomic alterations or few ones; others harbor a variable number of mutations, capable of conferring characteristics related to clinical behavior, including CDKN2A deletion and TERT-p mutation. Since the accumulation of mutations is gradual and progressive, tumors appear to form a bio-morphologic spectrum, in which they show a progressive increase of clinical risk and histological atypia. In this context, a binary classification Spitz nevus-melanoma appears as no longer adequate, not corresponding to the real genomic substrate of lesions. A ternary classification Spitz nevus-Spitz melanocytoma-Spitz melanoma is more adherent to the real neoplastic pathway, but some cases with intermediate ambiguous features remain difficult to diagnose. A prognostic stratification of Spitz tumors, based on the morphologic and genomic characteristics, as a complement to the diagnosis, may contribute to better treatment plans for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Urso
- Dermatopathology Study Center of Florence, I-50129 Florence, Italy
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Liebmann A, Admard J, Armeanu-Ebinger S, Wild H, Abele M, Gschwind A, Seibel-Kelemen O, Seitz C, Bonzheim I, Riess O, Demidov G, Sturm M, Schadeck M, Pogoda M, Bien E, Krawczyk M, Jüttner E, Mentzel T, Cesen M, Pfaff E, Kunc M, Forchhammer S, Forschner A, Leiter-Stöppke U, Eigentler TK, Schneider DT, Schroeder C, Ossowski S, Brecht IB. UV-radiation and MC1R germline mutations are risk factors for the development of conventional and spitzoid melanomas in children and adolescents. EBioMedicine 2023; 96:104797. [PMID: 37716236 PMCID: PMC10511785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genomic characterisation has led to an improved understanding of adult melanoma. However, the aetiology of melanoma in children is still unclear and identifying the correct diagnosis and therapeutic strategies remains challenging. METHODS Exome sequencing of matched tumour-normal pairs from 26 paediatric patients was performed to study the mutational spectrum of melanomas. The cohort was grouped into different categories: spitzoid melanoma (SM), conventional melanoma (CM), and other melanomas (OT). FINDINGS In all patients with CM (n = 10) germline variants associated with melanoma were found in low to moderate melanoma risk genes: in 8 patients MC1R variants, in 2 patients variants in MITF, PTEN and BRCA2. Somatic BRAF mutations were detected in 60% of CMs, homozygous deletions of CDKN2A in 20%, TERTp mutations in 30%. In the SM group (n = 12), 5 patients carried at least one MC1R variant; somatic BRAF mutations were detected in 8.3%, fusions in 25% of the cases. No SM showed a homozygous CDKN2A deletion nor a TERTp mutation. In 81.8% of the CM/SM cases the UV damage signatures SBS7 and/or DBS1 were detected. The patient with melanoma arising in giant congenital nevus (CNM) demonstrated the characteristic NRAS Q61K mutation. INTERPRETATION UV-radiation and MC1R germline variants are risk factors in the development of conventional and spitzoid paediatric melanomas. Paediatric CMs share genomic similarities with adult CMs while the SMs differ genetically from the CM group. Consistent genetic characterization of all paediatric melanomas will potentially lead to better subtype differentiation, treatment, and prevention in the future. FUNDING Found in Acknowledgement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Liebmann
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jakob Admard
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sorin Armeanu-Ebinger
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hannah Wild
- Paediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Abele
- Paediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Axel Gschwind
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olga Seibel-Kelemen
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Seitz
- Paediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Irina Bonzheim
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - German Demidov
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marc Sturm
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Malou Schadeck
- SYNLAB MVZ Human Genetics Freiburg GmbH, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Pogoda
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; NGS Competence Center Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ewa Bien
- Department of Paediatrics, Hematology, Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Krawczyk
- Department of Paediatrics, Hematology, Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
| | - Eva Jüttner
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Thomas Mentzel
- Dermatohistopathology Friedrichshafen, Friedrichshafen, Germany
| | - Maja Cesen
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Elke Pfaff
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michal Kunc
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
| | - Stephan Forchhammer
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrea Forschner
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Leiter-Stöppke
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas K Eigentler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Christopher Schroeder
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephan Ossowski
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ines B Brecht
- Paediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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Hagstrom M, Fumero-Velázquez M, Dhillon S, Olivares S, Gerami P. An update on genomic aberrations in Spitz naevi and tumours. Pathology 2023; 55:196-205. [PMID: 36631338 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Spitz neoplasms continue to be a diagnostic challenge for dermatopathologists and are defined by distinctive morphological and genetic features. With the recent advancements in genomic sequencing, the classification, diagnosis, and prognostication of these tumours have greatly improved. Several subtypes of Spitz neoplasms have been identified based on their specific genomic aberrations, which often correlate with distinctive morphologies and biological behaviour. These genetic driver events can be classified into four major groups, including: (1) mutations [HRAS mutations (with or without 11p amplification) and 6q23 deletions]; (2) tyrosine kinase fusions (ROS1, ALK, NTRK1-3, MET and RET); (3) serine/threonine kinase fusions and mutations (BRAF, MAP3K8, and MAP2K1); and (4) other rare genomic aberrations. These driver genomic events are hypothesised to enable the initial proliferation of melanocytes and are often accompanied by additional genomic aberrations that affect biological behaviour. The discovery of theses genomic fusions has allowed for a more objective definition of a Spitz neoplasm. Further studies have shown that the majority of morphologically Spitzoid appearing melanocytic neoplasms with aggressive behaviour are in fact BRAF or NRAS mutated tumours mimicking Spitz. Truly malignant fusion driven Spitz neoplasms may occur but are relatively uncommon, and biomarkers such as homozygous 9p21 (CDKN2A) deletions or TERT-p mutations can have some prognostic value in such cases. In this review, we discuss the importance and various methods of identifying Spitz associated genomic fusions to help provide more definitive classification. We also discuss characteristic features of the various fusion subtypes as well as prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hagstrom
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mónica Fumero-Velázquez
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Soneet Dhillon
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shantel Olivares
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Pedram Gerami
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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