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Quantitative comparison of MiTF, Melan‐A, HMB‐45 and Mel‐5 in solar lentigines and melanoma in situ
Author(s) -
Kim Jinah,
Taube Janis M.,
McCalmont Timothy H.,
Glusac Earl J.
Publication year - 2011
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.1600-0560.2011.01763.x
Subject(s) - microphthalmia associated transcription factor , in situ , melanoma , pathology , medicine , dermatology , biology , chemistry , cancer research , transcription factor , genetics , organic chemistry , gene
Background: It is often challenging to reliably assess the number of lesional melanocytes in intraepidermal melanocytic proliferations involving sun‐damaged skin. Therefore, dermatopathologists routinely use immunostains to help differentiate melanocytes from surrounding keratinocytes. Methods: Forty‐three cases of solar lentigo or melanoma in situ (of the lentigo maligna type) were retrospectively chosen (20 melanomas in situ and 23 solar lentigo). Microphthalmia transcription factor (MiTF), HMB‐45, Melan‐A and Mel‐5 immunostains were performed with an Azure blue counterstain, and the mean melanocyte counts were calculated within a 1‐mm segment of epidermis. Results: In solar lentigines, the mean melanocyte counts were 27 (MiTF), 23 (HMB‐45 and Mel‐5) and 41 (Melan‐A), as compared to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) (25). In melanoma in situ , the mean melanocyte counts were 112 (MiTF), 149 (Melan‐A), 111 (HMB‐45) and 80 (Mel‐5), as compared to H&E (109). Conclusions: These results show that Melan‐A significantly overestimates the density of melanocytes within dermatoheliotic skin. Compared to other tested stains, nuclear staining MiTF allowed greater distinction of melanocytes from keratinocytes with melanized cytoplasm. These findings indicate that MiTF is a superior marker for quantification of melanocytes in the evaluation of subtle intraepidermal melanocytic proliferations and in the differential diagnosis of solar lentigo. Kim J, Taube J, McCalmont TH, Glusac EJ. Quantitative comparison of MiTF, Melan‐A, HMB‐45 and Mel‐5 in solar lentigines and melanoma in situ .