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The clinicopathological and gene expression patterns associated with ulceration of primary melanoma
Author(s) -
Jewell Rosalyn,
Elliott Faye,
Laye Jonathan,
Nsengimana Jérémie,
Davies John,
Walker Christy,
Conway Caroline,
Mitra Angana,
Harland Mark,
Cook Martin G.,
Boon Andy,
Storr Sarah,
Safuan Sabreena,
Martin Stewart G.,
Jirström Karin,
Olsson Håkan,
Ingvar Christian,
Lauss Martin,
Bishop Tim,
Jönsson Göran,
NewtonBishop Julia
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/pcmr.12315
Subject(s) - melanoma , immunohistochemistry , pathology , inflammation , gene expression , medicine , infiltration (hvac) , gene expression profiling , gene signature , gene , cancer research , biology , immunology , biochemistry , physics , thermodynamics
Summary Ulceration of primary melanomas is associated with poor prognosis yet is reported to predict benefit from adjuvant interferon. To better understand the biological processes involved, clinicopathological factors associated with ulceration were determined in 1804 patients. From this cohort, 348 primary tumor blocks were sampled to generate gene expression data using a 502‐gene cancer panel and 195 blocks were used for immunohistochemistry to detect macrophage infiltration and vessel density. Gene expression results were validated using a whole genome array in two independent sample sets. Ulceration of primary melanomas was associated with more proliferative tumors, tumor vessel invasion, and increased microvessel density. Infiltration of tumors with greater number of macrophages and gene expression pathways associated with wound healing and up‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines suggests that ulceration is associated with tumor‐related inflammation. The relative benefit from interferon reported in patients with ulcerated tumors may reflect modification of signaling pathways involved in inflammation.