Inflammatory infiltrates in melanocytic lesions / Infiltrados inflamatorios en lesiones melanocíticas

SUMMARY: Inflammatory infiltrates are frequently present in melanocytic lesions, with different distribution and composition. Much attention has been devoted to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in the tumor microenvironment, establishing their prognostic and predictive value in many malignancies, including melanoma. However, lymphocytes, albeit the most numerous and consistent presence, constitute only part of the immune microenvironment. Other inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, plasma cells, eosinophils and mast cells, are found in melanoma and other melanocytic lesions.Few studies offer a detailed count of these inflammatory infiltrates across the spectrum of melanocytic lesions. By using whole slide image analysis and open source software, in the present study we report the enumeration of different inflammatory infiltrates in benign melanocytic nevi, dysplastic nevi, melanoma in situ and invasive malignant melanomas. Significant higher numbers of plasma cells and neutrophils were observed in melanoma. These results indicate that composition of the inflammatory infiltrate may contribute to the diagnostic algorithm of melanocytic lesions.

RESUMEN: Los infiltrados inflamatorios están presentes con frecuencia en las lesiones melanocíticas, con diferente distribución y composición. Se ha prestado mucha atención a los linfocitos infiltrantes de tumores (TIL) en el microambiente tumoral, estableciendo su valor pronóstico y predictivo en muchas neoplasias malignas, incluido el melanoma. Sin embargo, los linfocitos de presencia más numerosa y constante, constituyen solo una parte del microambiente inmunológico. Otras células inflamatorias, incluidos neutrófilos, células plasmáticas, eosinófilos y mastocitos, se encuentran en el melanoma y otras lesiones melanocíticas. Pocos estudios ofrecen un recuento detallado de estos infiltrados inflamatorios en todo el espectro de lesiones melanocíticas. Mediante el uso de análisis de imágenes de diapositivas completas y software de código abierto, en el presente estudio informamos la enumeración de diferentes infiltrados inflamatorios en nevos melanocíticos benignos, nevos displásicos, melanoma in situ y melanomas malignos invasivos. Se observaron números significativamente más altos de células plasmáticas y neutrófilos en el melanoma. Estos resultados indican que la composición del infiltrado inflamatorio puede contribuir al algoritmo diagnóstico de las lesiones melanocíticas.

Cancer immunology and melanoma immunotherapy

Abstract: The stimulation of the immune system, in order to generate an attack against cancer cells, similarly to that which occurs in infectious disease, has long been matter of interest in oncology; however, only limited success has been achieved, with different treatment strategies tested in recent years. The development of new immune checkpoint inhibitors is currently changing this scenario, and immunotherapy is becoming a real choice among traditional cytotoxic treatments to fight cancer. Recent reports have shown efficacy and safety with the use of pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab for the treatment of different neoplasms, especially melanoma. In this article, we propose a review of the mechanisms of action involved in cancer immunology, the response evaluation of immunotherapies, and its toxicity profile, as well as a summary of the main clinical trials that led to the adoption of these new drugs for melanoma treatment.

Evaluación de reactividad inmunohistoquímica con método del Complejo Avidina­Biotina (ABC) / Evaluation of immunohistochemical reactivity with Avidin-Biotin Complex (ABC) method

Inmunohistoquímica es toda técnica que permite detectar in situ componentes celulares y extracelulares por medio de anticuerpos específicos, empleando sistemas de detección enzimáticos. Dentro de los métodos inmunohistoquímicos, la técnica del complejo avidina­biotina(ABC) es ampliamente utilizada debido a su alta sensibilidad. El objetivo del presente estudio fueevaluar la reactividad inmunohistoquímica del anticuerpo 4C4.9 para la detección de la proteínaS-100, utilizando el método ABC. Para la evaluación de la reactividad inmunohistoquímica se utilizaron 2 biopsias de piel humana con diagnóstico histopatológico de melanoma maligno nodular ulcerado y nevus melanocítico intradérmico, provenientes del Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología Animal de la Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. Se utilizó el Kit VECTASTAIN®como método de detección, la dilución del anticuerpo 4C4.9 fue 1/250 y la temperatura de incubación fue a 4 ºC ó 37 ºC por 18 horas. Para validar la técnica, se realizó un control positivo y otro negativo para 4C4.9. Los resultados de la tinción inmunohistoquímica por el método del complejo ABC mostraron tinción positiva para la proteína S-100, tanto en melanoma maligno nodular ulcerado, como en nevus melanocítico intradérmico, incubados durante 18 horas a 4 ºC ó 37 ºC. Sin embargo, la inmunotinción fue más intensa cuando el anticuerpo primario se incubó a 37 ºC. Para una correcta interpretación de los resultados, es necesario tener en consideración que la reacción antígeno-anticuerpo se ve influenciada por diversos factores, como la concentración del anticuerpo, el tiempo y la temperatura de incubación. En conclusión, nuestros resultados sugieren incubarlas muestras con el primer anticuerpo (4C4.9) en una dilución de 1/250 en agua destilada, incu-bando durante 18 h a 37 ºC. Se recomienda la utilización del anticuerpo 4C4.9 como apoyo al diagnóstico y diagnóstico diferencial.

Immunohistochemistry is anytechnique that can detect cellular and extracellular components in situ by means of specific antibodies,using enzymatic detection systems. Among immunohistochemical methods, the technique ofavidin - biotin complex (ABC) is widely used because of its high sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical reactivity of the4C4.9 antibody for detection of S-100 protein using the ABC method. For the evaluation ofimmunohistochemical reactivity 2 biopsies of humanskin were used with histopathological diagnosis ofulcerated malignant melanoma and melanocyticintradermal nevi from the Research Laboratory onAnimal Biotechnology of the Universidad de La Fron-tera, Chile. The Kit VECTASTAIN® was used asdetection method, the dilution the 4C4.9 antibodywas 1/250 and incubation temperature was at 4 °Cor 37 °C for 18 hours. To validate the technique, apositive control and a negative for 4C4.9 was performed. The results of immunohistochemicalstaining by the method of ABC complex showed positive staining for protein S-100 both in ulcerated malignant melanoma and melanocytic intradermalnevi, incubated for 18 hours at 4 °C or 37 °C.However, immunostaining was more intense when the primary antibody was incubated at 37° C. For acorrect interpretation of the results, it is necessary to take into consideration that the antigen-antibody reaction is influenced by various factors such as the concentration of antibody, time and temperature ofincubation. In conclusion, our results suggest incubating the samples with the first antibody (4C4.9)at 1/250 dilution in distilled water, incubating for 18h at 37 ºC. However, immunostaining was moreintense when the primary antibody was incubated at37° C. For a correct interpretation of the results, it isnecessary to take into consideration that antigen-antibody reaction is influenced by various factors suchas the concentration of antibody, time and temperature of incubation. In conclusion, our results suggest incubating the samples with the first antibody(4C4.9) at 1/250 dilution in distilled water, incubating for 18 h at 37 ºC. The use of the antibody 4C4.9 is recommended to support the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

La infección por Trypanosoma cruzi disminuye el desarrollo del melanoma maligno e incrementa la supervivencia en ratones C57BL/6 / Trypanosoma cruzi infection decreases malignant melanoma development and increases survival in C57BL/6 mice

Diversos agentes infecciosos interfieren en la progresión del cáncer. En esta investigación se estudió el efecto de la infección o inmunización con Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) sobre el desarrollo del melanoma maligno. Se utilizaron 258 ratones machos C57BL/6 divididos en 5 grupos melanoma: melanoma control, melanoma Tc inmunizado, melanoma Tc agudo, melanoma Tc crónico y melanoma Tc infectado; 3 grupos controles: control sano, control Tc agudo, control Tc crónico. 100.000 células de melanoma B16-BL6 fueron inoculados vía intramuscular a los grupos melanoma; 3 ó 20 tripomastigotes/g de peso fueron inoculados vía intraperitoneal a los grupos Tc crónicos o Tc agudos previo a la inoculación del melanoma, respectivamente, el grupo melanoma Tc inmunizado fue inoculado con 30.000 epimastigotes fijados en formol y suspendidos en adyuvante completo de Freund, y el grupo melanoma Tc infectado fue inoculado con células de melanoma obtenidas de ratones melanoma Tc agudo. Se evaluó volumen tumoral, supervivencia, parasitemia e histopatología tumoral. Los grupos melanoma Tc: agudo, crónico y melanoma infectado, respectivamente, mostraron una disminución significativa del desarrollo tumoral y de la supervivencia al ser comparados con los grupos melanoma control e inmunizado. Los estudios histopatológicos mostraron áreas de necrosis asociadas con depósitos de melanina, degeneración citopática tumoral y amastigotes intracelulares contenidos en vacuolas parasitofóricas. En conclusión, Tc inhibe el desarrollo tumoral del melanoma maligno y aumenta la supervivencia de ratones C57BL/6, fenómeno que podría estar relacionado con la capacidad invasiva tumoral del parásito y a la respuesta inmune generada.

Some infectious pathogens have the capacity to affect cancer progression. In the present paper we studied the effect of infection or immunization with Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) against malignant melanoma development. We worked on 258 C57BL/6 male mice divided in five melanoma groups: control melanoma, melanoma Tc acutely infected, melanoma Tc chronically infected, melanoma Tc immunized and infected melanoma; and three control groups: healthy, Tc acutely infected and Tc chronically infected. 100.000 B16-BL6 melanoma cells were inoculated in the thigh of melanoma groups; 3 or 20 trypomastigotes/g were inoculated intraperitoneally in chronic or acute Tc groups, before the melanoma injection, respectively; melanoma Tc immunized were subcutaneously inoculated with 30.000 formaldehide-fixed epimastigotes diluted in complete Freund´s adjuvant and the infected melanoma group was inoculated with melanoma cells obtained from melanoma Tc acutely infected mice. We evaluated survival, parasitemia, tumor volume and tumor histopathology. Results showed that in mice infected with Tc, the tumor development and survival were significantly lower as compared with control melanoma and melanoma Tc immunized. Histopathologically, the tumor displayed necrosis areas with melanin deposits, cytopathic degeneration and amastigotes in parasitophorous vacuoles. In conclusion, Tc inhibits the development of malignant melanoma, increasing C57BL/6 survival, a phenomena that could be related to the parasite tumoral invasive capacity, its ability to produce melanoma cell lysis and to induce a robust immune response.

Avaliação dos efeitos da terapia fotodinâmica utilizando compostos fenotiazínicos sobre melanoma in vitro / Assessment of the effects of photodynamic therapy using phenothiazine compounds on in vitro melanoma

O câncer é considerado a segunda maior causa de morte em países ocidentais. Nos Estados Unidos da América (EUA) as mortes por câncer anualmente superam a soma das mortes provocadas em guerras como Vietnã, Coreia e as Grandes Guerras Mundiais. Apresentando-se como a mais agressiva das neoplasias dermatológicas, o melanoma cutâneo está associado à cerca de 75% das causas de morte por câncer de pele. Um dos tratamentos estudados para aplicação em pacientes com esta e outras patologias é a Terapia Fotodinâmica (TFD), que é baseada no uso de corantes de baixa toxicidade, que tem seletividade por alguns tecidos ou células e quando ativados por baixas doses de luz visível induzam alterações celulares como a produção ERO. Os fenotiazínicos são moléculas catiônicas com, absorção de luz na região entre 620-660nm, espectro que permite maior penetração nos tecidos, promovendo maior ação do composto em tecidos mais profundos. A irradiação foi feita com luz lazer com λ= 660nm, com potência de 100 mW, densidade de energia de 150 J/cm2 por 1 min. As quantificações de viabilidade celular foram feitas por método colorimétrico, e realizada a leitura em leitor de microplaca a 655 nm. A determinação das IC50 do Azul de Metileno e Azul de Toluidina O foi 2,5 μM e 8,4 μM, respectivamente. Utilizando a TFD observamos que os efeitos citotóxicos dos compostos fenotiazínicos apresentam significância estatística (p<0,05) tanto em AM quanto em ATO. Em microscopia óptica com coloração por May-Grunwald-Giemsa observamos que existe uma aparente diminuição do conteúdo citoplasmático e preservação nuclear nas células tratadas com TFD, além da diminuição da quantidade de células por campo. A avaliação ultraestrutural por Microscopia de varredura mostra células com visível extração citoplasmática após a TFD, apontando uma lesão membranar. Novas avaliações precisam ser feitas como estabelecer um melhor protocolo para aumentar os efeitos da TFD.

Cancer is considered the second leading cause of death in Western countries. In the United States of America (USA) cancer deaths annually exceed the total of deaths in wars like Vietnam, Korea and the Great World Wars. Presenting as the most aggressive of the skin neoplasms, cutaneous melanoma is associated with circa 75% of the deaths from skin cancer. One of the therapies used in patients with melanoma and other pathologies is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), which is based upon the use of dyes of low toxicity, which has selectivity for certain tissues or cells and low doses when activated by visible light induce cellular changes such as ROS production. The phenothiazic dyes are cationic molecules, absorption of light in the region between 620-660 nm, allowing greater spectrum tissue penetration, promoting higher activity of the compound in deeper tissues. The irradiation was performed with laser light with λ = 660 nm with 100 mW, energy density of 150 J/cm2 for 1 min. Quantification of cell viability was performed by the colorimetric method, and performed a reading in a microplate reader at 655nm. Determination of IC50 of Methylene Blue and Toluidine Blue O was 2.5 μM and 8.4 μM respectively. Using the protocol of PDT observed that there is one of the cytotoxic effects of phenothiazine compounds with statistical significance (p <0.05) in both MB and in TBO. Through optical microscopy by staining with fast Panotic was observed that there is an apparent decrease in the cytoplasm in cells treated with MB and TBO as well as reduced number of cells per field. The Scanning Electron Microscopy, shows cells with cytoplasm extraction, after PDT, indicated possibility, membrane damage. New assessments need to be made to establish a better protocol to potentiate the effects of PDT.

TAPCells, the Chilean dendritic cell vaccine against melanoma and prostate cancer

Here we summarize 10 years of effort in the development of a biomedical innovation with global projections. This innovation consists of a novel method for the production of therapeutic dendritic-like cells called Tumor Antigen Presenting Cells (TAPCells®). TAPCells-based immunotherapy was tested in more than 120 stage III and IV melanoma patients and 20 castration-resistant prostate cancer patients in a series of phase I and I/II clinical trials. TAPCells vaccines induced T cell-mediated memory immune responses that correlated with increased survival in melanoma patients and prolonged prostate-specific antigen doubling time in prostate cancer patients. Importantly, more than 60% of tested patients showed a Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction against the lysates, indicating the development of anti-tumor immunological memory that correlates with clinical benefits. The in vitro analysis of the lysate mix showed that it contains damage-associated molecular patterns such as HMBG-1 protein which are capable to improve, through Toll-like receptor-4, maturation and antigen cross-presentation of the dendritic cells (DC). In fact, a Toll-like receptor-4 polymorphism correlates with patient clinical outcomes. Moreover, Concholepas concholepas hemocyanin (CCH) used as adjuvant proved to be safe and capable of enhancing the immunological response. Furthermore, we observed that DC vaccination resulted in a three-fold increase of T helper-1 lymphocytes releasing IFN-γ and a two-fold increase of T helper-17 lymphocytes capable of producing IL-17 in DTH+ with respect to DTH- patients. Important steps have been accomplished for TAPCells technology transfer, including patenting, packaging and technology assessment. Altogether, our results indicate that TAPCells vaccines constitute an exceptional Chilean national innovation of international value.

Mecanismos de patogénesis del melanoma maligno / Mechanisms of pathogenesis of malignant melanoma

El melanoma es una de las neoplasias malignas de la piel más agresivas y peligrosas. Tiene múltiples factores de riesgo, siendo uno de los más importantes la exposición crónica e intermitente al sol. Además, tiene un componente genético que se asocia a los casos familiares, debido principalmente a las mutaciones del gen CDKN2A; sin embargo, la mayoría de los melanomas son esporádicos. En su patogenia se describen mutaciones en la línea germinal y mutaciones somáticas, las cuales modifican la regulación del ciclo celular y permiten un crecimiento no regulado. El sistema inmunitario juega un papel muy importante en la patogénesis porque, a pesar de que este tumor tiene antígenos que son claramente reconocidos, permitiendo que el sistema inmunitario monte una respuesta, las células del melanoma logran evadir la inmunidad innata y la adaptativa, para así invadir y generar metástasis.

HLA and skin cancer / HLA e câncer de pele

Skin cancer - melanoma and non melanoma - are common neoplasm with rising incidence over the last decades. It is an important public health problem. Its pathogenesis is not completely understood and the same happens with the genetic factors involved. The genes that encode the HLA are associated with some tumors and they may be responsible for one of the mechanisms that take part in the development of the before mentioned cancers. We have reviewed the literature on the subject of HLA antigens, melanoma and non melanoma skin cancer.

Os cânceres da pele - melanoma e não-melanoma - são neoplasias comuns e com incidência crescente ao longo de décadas. Representam um importante problema de saúde pública. A patogênese destas neoplasias não é completamente compreendida, assim como não o são os fatores genéticos envolvidos. Os genes HLA estão associados a alguns tumores e podem representar um dos mecanismos implicados no desenvolvimento do câncer de pele. Apresenta-se uma revisão atualizada sobre a relação entre antígenos HLA, câncer da pele não-melanoma e melanoma.

Finding a T-cell epitope for a melanoma vaccine by an immunomics technique.

The identification of tumor-associated T cell epitopes has contributed significantly to the understanding of the interrelationship of tumor and immune system and is instrumental in the development of therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of cancer. Here, the author reports preliminary data from the computation analysis of available Homo sapiens melanoma associate antigen to find potential T-cell epitopes using bioinformatics tool namely MHCPred. Using computational algorithm, we predicted the most potential T cell epitope from known melanoma associated antigen. This data are useful for further vaccine development because these promiscuous peptide binders allows to minimize the total number of predicted epitopes without compromising the population coverage required in the design of multi-epitope vaccines.

Avances en inmunoterapia celular contra el melanoma maligno / Advances in cellular immunotherapy for malignant melanoma

An alternative strategy for cancer treatment is the manipulation of the immune system, denominated cancer immunotherapy. The immunotherapeutical use of cells of the immune system, like dendritic cells (DC), is being explored in different clinical protocols. Recently, we finalized a clinical phase I protocol, for the treatment of malignant melanoma, using DCs loaded with tumor lysates. Our results indicate that the subcutaneous application of DCs do not produce adverse effects. We also observed an increase of tumor specific T lymphocytes precursors in the blood, associated to hypersensitivity reactions (DTH) in 60% of the treated patients. In most cases, an stability in the disease was observed, although without a significant association between vaccination and survival. Additionally, therapies based on Interleukin-2 (IL-2) have been used with relative success in the treatment of some kind of tumors since 1985. However, problems associated to the toxicity of IL-2 still restrict its massive use. Our direct experience with the use of IL-2, indicates that low doses and its subcutaneous application, maintains the beneficial effects for patients, eliminating the adverse effects. Based on the accumulated evidence during last the five years, we decided to implement an optimized clinical protocol, which alternatively combines dendritic cells vaccines with the use of low doses of IL-2 for the reinforcement of the immunological system.

Immunotherapy of melanoma: peptide mimics of a human high molecular weight-melanoma associated antigen

The realization that tumor cells utilize multiple mechanisms to escape from immune recognition and destruction has stimulated interest in developing and applying immunotherapeutic strategies which target both humoral and cellular immunity to malignant cells. As a result, the tumor-associated antigens (TAA) used as targets have to be expressed on the cell surface membrane of malignant cells. Furthermore, since most of the TAA used for active specific immunotherapy are self-antigens, a challenge facing tumor immunologists is to develop strategies which are effective in breaking tolerance to self-antigens. This chapter describes one strategy which relies on the use of peptide mimics of the human high molecular weight-melanoma associated antigen (HMW-MAA) as immunogens to implement active specific immunotherapy in patients with malignant melanoma. These mimics, which are isolated from phage display peptide libraries by panning with anti-HMW-MAA monoclonal antibodies, are expected to induce both humoral and cellular anti-HMW-MAA immunity.

Estudio ultra estructural e inmunohistoquimico en catorce casos de melanoma / Ultraestrctural and immunohistochemical study 14 cases of malignant melanoma

En el presente trabajo se evaluaron 14 casos de melanoma desde el punto de vista ultraestructural inmunohistoquímico, con los anticuerpos, proteína S-100, Enolasa Neural Especifica y Vimentina. Los resultados encontrados a la microscopia electrónica confirmaron el diagnóstico histológico previo, en todos los casos estudiados, no pudiéndose demostrar en ninguno de ellos la presencia de membrana basal. La inmunohistoquímica fue positiva en los 14 casos, para los anticuerpos proteína S-100, Enolasa Neuronal Específica y Vimentina. En el caso de la proteína S-100 y la Vimentina su presencia fue confirmada por inmunoelectromicroscopía. Como hallazgos de interés encontramos inmunoreactividad para proteína S-100, en relación inversa al contenido de melanina, positividad en los melanomas desmoplásicos y se logró demostrar no solo en el citoplasma sino también en el núcleo de las células tumorales, a diferencia de la Enolasa Neuronal específica y la Vimentina de localización únicamente citoplasmática. En conclusión el estudio ultraestructural y la investigación inmunohistoquímica simultánea, para proteína S-100, Vimentina y Enolasa Neuronal Específica se recomienda para un mejor diagnóstico de melanoma