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Melanophages reside in hypermelanotic, aberrantly glycosylated tumor areas and predict improved outcome in primary cutaneous malignant melanoma
Author(s) -
Handerson Tamara,
Berger Aaron,
Harigopol Malini,
Rimm David,
Nishigori Chikako,
Ueda Masato,
Miyoshi Eiji,
Taniguchi Naoyuki,
Pawelek John
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2006.00681.x
Subject(s) - melanoma , tissue microarray , immunohistochemistry , medicine , pathology , immunology , biology , cancer research
Background: Previously, hypermelanotic regions of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) were found to contain a mixture of highly melanized melanoma cells and melanophages. Both cell types produced β1,6‐branched oligosaccharides. These sugars are used for motility by myeloid cells and cancer cells alike and are associated with poor survival in carcinomas of the breast, colon and lung. This study further investigated associations between melanophages and β1,6‐branched oligosaccharides and their potential contributions to patient outcome. Methods: Individual archival melanomas and high‐throughput melanoma tissue microarrays were stained for melanophages with azure blue/S100 and for β1,6‐branched oligosaccharides with the lectin leukocytic phytohemagglutinin (LPHA, a selective marker for β1,6‐branched oligosaccharides). Results: In primary CMM, melanophages were highly enriched in hypermelanotic, LPHA‐positive tumor regions and correlated with improved outcome at 10‐ and 20‐year follow ups. While the combination of melanophages, LPHA positivity and high pigmentation indicated better outcome, a subset of LPHA‐positive cells not associated with melanophages indicated worse outcome. Conclusion: This is the first report of an anti‐tumor role for the melanophage in melanoma biology. There appeared to be two classes of β1,6‐branched oligosaccharide‐producing melanoma cells with opposing effects on outcome: one that attracted melanophages (better) and another that did not (worse). The findings disclose new aspects of the immune system and aberrant glycosylation in CMM.