ABSTRACT
Objective To measure the expression of CC chemokine ligand 18(CCL18)in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) tissues, and to explore its clinical significance, as well as relationship with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Ki67 antigen expressions. Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure CCL18, VEGF and Ki67 expressions in 58 paraffin?embedded CMM tissue specimens, as well as CCL18 expression in 20 paraffin?embedded pigmented nevus specimens, and immunofluorescence assay to confirm the expression of CCL18 in fresh CMM tissue specimens. Correlations of CCL18 expression with CMM clinicopathologic features, VEGF and Ki67 expressions were analyzed. Results CCL18 was detected in 49 (84.48%) of 58 paraffin?embedded CMM specimens, but in none of the 20 paraffin?embedded pigmented nevus specimens, with a significant difference in the positive rate of CCL18 between the CMM group and pigmented nevus group(χ2=45.46, P0.05). In addition, the expression of CCL18 in CMM tissues was positively correlated with that of VEGF(rs = 0.727, P 0.05). Immunofluorescence assay showed CCL18 expression in the cytoplasm of tumor cells in CMM tissues. Conclusion CCL18 is highly expressed in CMM tissues, and may be involved in tumor invasion and metastasis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of clear cell acan?thoma (CCA). Methods Clinical and pathological data on 10 patients with CCA were retrospectively reviewed. Results CCA clinically manifested as widespread, well?circumscribed, hemispherical dark red to brown papules and nodules with ulcerative, hemorrhagic or desquamative surfaces. Most patients had no subjective symptoms. Nine patients had solitary lesions, and 1 patient had multiple lesions. It frequently occurred in the middle?aged or elderly. Histopathological examination showed thickened prickle cell layer, and the tumor was composed of large clear cells with pale?staining cytoplasm. Characteristic pathological findings were scattered neutrophils and nuclear dust in the epidermis. Periodic acid?Schiff (PAS) staining without diastase was positive in all the 10 patients. Immunohisto?chemical study revealed that tumor cells expressed epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and keratin, but did not express carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Conclusions CCA has no obvious clinical characteristics, and is easily misdiagnosed as melanocytic or vascular tumors. However, CCA has typical histological changes, and histopathological examination is the gold standard for its diagnosis.