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1.
Int J Surg Case Rep ; 120: 109789, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38823228

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Bladder metastatic melanoma is a very uncommon condition. CASE PRESENTATION: On 62 reported cases, 55 studies have been done so far. We describe a 53-year-old woman with a hematuria who underwent transurethral resection of bladder lesions caused by metastatic melanoma for eight years ago after receiving her initial diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: We also review the medical literature to determine the prognosis of bladder metastatic melanoma. Synchronous metastases with metastatic melanoma to the bladder also reduces the mean survival compared with patients with metachronous metastases. CONCLUSION: Bladder metastatic melanoma combined with other factors, such as male, lymph node metastases, primary skin tumor, two or more bladder metastatic foci, and synchronous metastases are predictors of worse prognosis.

2.
Cancers (Basel) ; 16(11)2024 May 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38893078

ABSTRACT

Locoregionally advanced and metastatic melanoma represent a challenging clinical problem, but in the era of immune checkpoint blockade and intralesional and infusional therapies, more options are available for use. Isolated limb infusion (ILI) was first introduced in the 1990s for the management of advanced melanoma, followed by the utilization of isolated extremity perfusion (ILP). Following this, intralesional oncolytic viruses, xanthene dyes, and cytokines were introduced for the management of in-transit metastases as well as unresectable, advanced melanoma. In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first oncolytic intralesional therapy, talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), for the treatment of advanced melanoma. Additionally, immune checkpoint inhibition has demonstrated efficacy in the management of advanced melanomas, and this improvement in outcomes has been extrapolated to aid in the management of in-transit metastatic disease. Finally, percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP), also approved by the FDA, has been reported to have a significant impact on the treatment of hepatic disease in uveal melanoma. While some of these treatments have less utility due to inferior outcomes as well as higher toxicity profiles, there are selective patient profiles for which these therapies carry a role. This review highlights intralesional and infusional therapies for the management of metastatic melanoma.

4.
J Surg Oncol ; 2024 Jun 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38881406

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Metastatic bone disease is estimated to develop in up to 17% of patients with melanoma, compromising skeleton integrity resulting in skeletal-related events (SREs), which impair quality of life and reduce survival. The objective of the study was to investigate (1) the proportion of melanoma patients developing SREs following diagnosis of bone metastasis and (2) the predictors for SREs in this patient cohort. METHODS: Four hundred and eighty-one patients with bone metastatic melanoma from two tertiary centers in the United States from 2008 to 2018 were included. The primary outcome was 90-day and 1-year occurrence of a SRE, including pathological fractures of bones, cord compression, hypercalcemia, radiotherapy, and surgery. Fine-Gray regression analysis was performed for overall SREs and pathological fracture, with death as a competing risk. RESULTS: By 1-year, 52% (258/481) of patients experienced SREs, and 28% (137/481) had a pathological fracture. At 90-day, lytic lesions, bone pain, elevated calcium and absolute lymphocyte, and decreased albumin and hemoglobin were associated with higher SRE risk. The same factors, except for decreased hemoglobin, were shown to predict development of SREs at 1-year. CONCLUSION: The high incidence of SREs and pathological fractures warrants vigilance using the identified factors in this study and preventative measures during clinical oncological care.

5.
Curr Oncol Rep ; 2024 Jun 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38837107

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Given the rapid development of multiple targeted and immune therapies for patients with advanced melanoma, it can be challenging to select a therapy based on currently available data. This review aims to provide an overview of frontline options for metastatic melanoma, with practical guidance for selecting a treatment regimen. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently reported data from randomized trials suggests that the majority of patients with unresectable melanoma should receive a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor as part of their first line therapy, irrespective of BRAF mutation status. Additional data also suggests that combination immunotherapies result in improved outcomes compared to single agent, albeit at the cost of increased toxicity, though to date no biomarker exists to help guide treatment selection. As the number therapeutic options continue to grow for patients with advanced melanoma, there is likely to be a continued focus on combination strategies. Defining the optimal treatment approach in order to maximize efficacy while minimizing toxicity remains an area of active investigation.

6.
Cancer Treat Rev ; 129: 102788, 2024 Jun 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38908229

ABSTRACT

In patients with resected non-metastatic melanoma, the liquid biopsy for the assessment of molecular residual disease (MRD) by circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) represents a promising tool to stratify the risk and to monitor tumour evolution. However, its validation requires the demonstration of analytical validity, clinical validity and utility. Indeed, the development of sensitive and specific assays can optimize prognostication and eventually help clinicians to modulate adjuvant treatments, in order to improve clinical outcomes. Data about ctDNA-guided prognosis stratification is emerging, but clinical trials assessing ctDNA-guided therapeutic decisions are still ongoing. This review aims to depict the role of ctDNA-based MRD assessment in patients with non-metastatic melanoma and to provide a roadmap to face challenges for its introduction into clinical practice.

7.
Eur Heart J Case Rep ; 8(6): ytae262, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38868157

ABSTRACT

Background: Melanoma can metastasize to distal organs including the heart although presentation with a symptomatic cardiac metastasis is rare. The optimal management remains uncertain particularly in the era of immunotherapy. Case summary: We report a case presenting with a large unresectable cardiac metastasis from melanoma that responded well to treatment with immunotherapy. Conclusion: Melanoma can metastasize to the heart and is often challenging to diagnose. Combination immunotherapy can be an effective treatment option even in the setting of a symptomatic and unresectable cardiac metastasis.

8.
Epigenomes ; 8(2)2024 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38804366

ABSTRACT

The treatment of metastatic melanoma has been revolutionised by immunotherapy, yet a significant number of patients do not respond, and many experience autoimmune adverse events. Associations have been reported between patient outcome and monocyte subsets, whereas vitamin C (ascorbate) has been shown to mediate changes in cancer-stimulated monocytes in vitro. We therefore investigated the relationship of ascorbate with monocyte subsets and epigenetic modifications in patients with metastatic melanoma receiving immunotherapy. Patients receiving immunotherapy were compared to other cancer cohorts and age-matched healthy controls. Ascorbate levels in plasma and peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocyte subtype and epigenetic markers were measured, and adverse events, tumour response and survival were recorded. A quarter of the immunotherapy cohort had hypovitaminosis C, with plasma and PBMC ascorbate levels significantly lower than those from other cancer patients or healthy controls. PBMCs from the immunotherapy cohort contained similar frequencies of non-classical and classical monocytes. DNA methylation markers and intracellular ascorbate concentration were correlated with monocyte subset frequency in healthy controls, but correlation was lost in immunotherapy patients. No associations between ascorbate status and immune-related adverse events or tumour response or overall survival were apparent.

9.
Neuroscience ; 551: 166-176, 2024 May 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38782114

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is a progressive neurodegenerative disease highlighted by recurrent seizures, neuroinflammation, and the loss of neurons. Microglial dysfunction is commonly found in epileptic foci and contributes to neuroinflammation in the initiation and progression of epilepsy. Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB), a transmembrane glycoprotein, has been involved in the microglial activation and neuroinflammation response. The present study investigated the functional significance of GPNMB in epilepsy. A proven model of epilepsy was established by intraperitoneal injection of pilocarpine to male Sprague Dawley rats. Lentivirus vectors carrying GPNMB or GPNMB short hairpin RNA (shGPNMB) were injected into the hippocampus to induce overexpression or knockdown of GPNMB. GPNMB expression was significantly upregulated and overexpression of GPNMB in the hippocampus reduced seizure activity and neuronal loss after status epilepticus (SE). We here focused on the effects of GPNMB deficiency on neuronal injury and microglia polarization 28 days after SE. GPNMB knockdown accelerated neuronal damage in the hippocampus, evidenced by increased neuron loss and neuronal cell apoptosis. Following GPNMB knockdown, M1 polarization (iNOS) and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α were increased, and M2 polarization (Arg1) and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-ß were decreased. BV2 cells were used to further confirm the regulatory role of GPNMB in modulating phenotypic transformations and inflammatory cytokine expressions in microglia. In conclusion, these results indicated that GPNMB suppressed epilepsy through repression of hippocampal neuroinflammation, suggesting that GPNMB might be considered the potential neurotherapeutic target for epilepsy management and play a protective role against epilepsy by modulating the polarization of microglia.

10.
Eur J Cancer ; 205: 114101, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38735161

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 has been associated with improvement in response and survival over anti-PD-1 monotherapy in unselected patients with advanced melanoma. Whether patients with liver metastases also benefit from the combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 over anti-PD-1, is unclear. In this study, we sought to assess whether the combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 leads to better response, progression-free survival and overall survival, compared with anti-PD-1 monotherapy for patients with liver metastases. METHODS: We have conducted an international multicentre retrospective study. Patients with advanced melanoma with liver metastases treated with 1st line anti-PD1 monotherapy or with anti-CTLA-4 were included. The endpoints of this study were: objective response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: With a median follow-up from commencement of anti-PD-1 monotherapy or in combination with anti-CTLA-4 of 47 months (95% CI, 42-51), objective response rate was higher with combination therapy (47%) versus anti-PD-1 monotherapy (35%) (p = 0.0027), while progression-free survival and overall survival were not statistically different between both treatment groups. However, on multivariable analysis with multiple imputation for missing values and adjusting for predefined variables, combination of anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA-4 was associated with higher objective response (OR 2.21, 1.46 - 3.36; p < 0.001), progression-free survival (HR 0.73, 0.57 - 0.92; p = 0.009) and overall survival (HR 0.71, 0.54 - 0.94; p = 0.018) compared to anti-PD1 monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study will help guide treatment selection for patients who present with liver metastases, suggesting that combination therapy should be considered for this group of patients.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols , CTLA-4 Antigen , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Liver Neoplasms , Melanoma , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor , Humans , Melanoma/drug therapy , Melanoma/secondary , Melanoma/mortality , Male , Retrospective Studies , Female , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Liver Neoplasms/mortality , Middle Aged , CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors , Aged , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Adult , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Aged, 80 and over , Progression-Free Survival , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/mortality
11.
Eur J Cancer ; 205: 114099, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38754294

ABSTRACT

AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether patient biological sex influences treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) undergoing first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. METHODS: The Danish Metastatic Melanoma Database (DAMMED) was employed to identify patients who underwent first-line ICI therapy for MM in Denmark from 2013 to 2021. Excluding adjuvant treatment, uveal and mucosal histological subtypes, the study conducted univariable and multivariable analyses to evaluate the influence of patient sex in survival analyses. Further, landmark survival of this real-world national cohort was described for progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and melanoma-specific survival (MSS). RESULTS: The analysis encompassed a cohort of 1378 patients with MM. Compared to male sex, females had significantly improved OS (p = 0.003) when tested in univariable testing. Multivariable analyses, controlling for age, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase level, BRAF status, M-stage, and number of metastatic sites revealed significant favourable outcomes associated with female sex irrespective of the considered survival metrics (pPFS = 0.014, pOS = 0.002, and pMSS = 0.03). The observed five-year OS rates of the entire cohort were 47% and 38%, while melanoma-specific survival were 50% and 45% for female and male, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide cohort of patients with MM undergoing first-line ICI treatment females exhibited superior treatment outcomes compared to males. Sex was identified as an independent predictive variable for treatment outcomes, irrespective of the chosen outcome measures considered. Our analyses are not able to conclude whether the differences in outcome is attributable to differences in biology or to treatment strategy.


Subject(s)
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Melanoma , Humans , Melanoma/drug therapy , Melanoma/mortality , Melanoma/pathology , Male , Female , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Denmark , Middle Aged , Aged , Sex Factors , Treatment Outcome , Adult , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Skin Neoplasms/mortality , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Aged, 80 and over
12.
Adv Ther ; 41(7): 2576-2585, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38806993

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This article is co-authored by a patient with BRAFV600E metastatic melanoma and his treating oncologist. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient describes how he coped with his diagnosis and treatment. He details the pathway of his melanoma treatment, which has spanned over 10 years, including surgical interventions, medical treatment, and participation in clinical trials. He relates his experience of living with the disease-and the adverse effects of treatment-in the long term. The clinical perspective of his treating oncologist reviews the diagnostic process and explains how the therapeutic options were selected for and with the patient. The oncologist also addresses the integration of the patient into clinical trials involving programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors and BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Challenges related to the adverse effects that occurred and the personalised treatment of the patient are also discussed. Finally, the article evaluates current advances in treatment and future therapeutic approaches. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the challenges of identifying which therapeutic options are most appropriate for individual patients with BRAFV600E metastatic melanoma.


About half of all people with melanoma have a BRAFV600E gene mutation. Targeted therapies called BRAF inhibitors may be appropriate; such treatment can rapidly suppress melanoma growth and control the tumour in many patients. Immunotherapies, such as pembrolizumab, have emerged for patients with melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body. Triple combination therapy with a BRAF inhibitor, a MEK inhibitor plus pembrolizumab, can extend the therapeutic effects of BRAF/MEK inhibition, but also cause immune-related adverse events (mainly involving the gut, skin, liver, and lung). Steroids that treat these adverse events may reduce the antitumour response. This article concerns a patient who has lived with BRAFV600E-mutant melanoma for over 10 years and illustrates the situation from the perspective of both the patient and his oncologist. The patient describes how he coped with his diagnosis and treatment challenges, and his melanoma treatment pathway, including surgical interventions, medical treatment, and participation in clinical trials. He relates his experience of living with the disease and the adverse effects of treatment. The patient's oncologist reviews the diagnostic process and explains how the therapeutic options were selected for and with the patient. The oncologist also addresses the integration of the patient into clinical trials involving programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors and BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Challenges related to the adverse effects that occurred and the personalised treatment of the patient are discussed. This partnership encouraged the patient to stay on treatment, enjoy a good quality of life, care for his family, and ultimately enter complete remission.


Subject(s)
Melanoma , Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf , Skin Neoplasms , Humans , Melanoma/genetics , Melanoma/drug therapy , Melanoma/secondary , Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/antagonists & inhibitors , Male , Skin Neoplasms/genetics , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Middle Aged
13.
Int J Surg Case Rep ; 119: 109686, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38677254

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) presenting with synchronous liver metastasis is relatively common, occurring in approximately 20 % of patients1. Herein we report an atypical case of a patient who presented with a new, obstructing colon mass with synchronous liver metastasis, biopsy proven to be malignant melanoma. CASE PRESENTATION: An 81-year-old male presented to the hospital emergency department with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and 30-pound unintentional weight loss over the past 4 months. Investigations revealed an obstructing cecal mass with multiple large, hypodense hepatic masses suspicious for metastatic disease. A multidisciplinary evaluation ensued, and the decision was made to treat with palliative intent. The patient was surgically treated with a diverting stoma and an intraoperative biopsy of the hepatic masses demonstrated metastatic melanoma. The patient did report a remote history of malignant melanoma and underwent curative-intent resection a decade earlier. There was no evidence of a new primary cutaneous melanoma. A tentative plan for checkpoint inhibitor therapy was discussed, but his medical issues worsened, and the patient died before any anti-cancer therapy could be started. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The clinical picture of obstructing colon mass with synchronous liver masses most commonly represents a colon primary with synchronous liver metastasis. The capacity for melanoma to mimic other pathologies is unusual but has been described, with case reports describing metastasis to the eye, biliary hilum, liver, pancreas, colon, small bowel, and brain. This case serves as a good reminder that melanoma may mimic a variety of oncologic presentations, even after a very long disease-free interval. CONCLUSION: Our patient suspected to have metastatic colon cancer was found instead to have metastatic melanoma, with significantly different therapeutic options and prognosis.

14.
Front Oncol ; 14: 1346502, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38577337

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Although checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have improved outcomes for patients with metastatic melanoma, those progressing on CPIs have limited therapeutic options. To address this unmet need and overcome CPI resistance mechanisms, novel immunotherapies, such as T-cell engaging agents, are being developed. The use of these agents has sometimes been limited by the immune response mounted against them in the form of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs), which is challenging to predict preclinically and can lead to neutralization of the drug and loss of efficacy. Methods: TYRP1-TCB (RO7293583; RG6232) is a T-cell engaging bispecific (TCB) antibody that targets tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), which is expressed in many melanomas, thereby directing T cells to kill TYRP1-expressing tumor cells. Preclinical studies show TYRP1-TCB to have potent anti-tumor activity. This first-in-human (FIH) phase 1 dose-escalation study characterized the safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose/optimal biological dose, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of TYRP1-TCB in patients with metastatic melanoma (NCT04551352). Results: Twenty participants with cutaneous, uveal, or mucosal TYRP1-positive melanoma received TYRP1-TCB in escalating doses (0.045 to 0.4 mg). All participants experienced ≥1 treatment-related adverse event (TRAE); two participants experienced grade 3 TRAEs. The most common toxicities were grade 1-2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and rash. Fractionated dosing mitigated CRS and was associated with lower levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Measurement of active drug (dual TYPR1- and CD3-binding) PK rapidly identified loss of active drug exposure in all participants treated with 0.4 mg in a flat dosing schedule for ≥3 cycles. Loss of exposure was associated with development of ADAs towards both the TYRP1 and CD3 domains. A total drug PK assay, measuring free and ADA-bound forms, demonstrated that TYRP1-TCB-ADA immune complexes were present in participant samples, but showed no drug activity in vitro. Discussion: This study provides important insights into how the use of active drug PK assays, coupled with mechanistic follow-up, can inform and enable ongoing benefit/risk assessment for individuals participating in FIH dose-escalation trials. Translational studies that lead to a better understanding of the underlying biology of cognate T- and B-cell interactions, ultimately resulting in ADA development to novel biotherapeutics, are needed.

15.
Exp Dermatol ; 33(4): e15075, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38610093

ABSTRACT

Although clinical outcomes in metastatic melanoma have improved in recent years, the morbidity and mortality of symptomatic brain metastases remain challenging. Response rates and survival outcomes of patients with symptomatic melanoma brain metastases (MBM) are significantly inferior to patients with asymptomatic disease. This review focusses upon the specific challenges associated with the management of symptomatic MBM, discussing current treatment paradigms, obstacles to improving clinical outcomes and directions for future research.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Melanoma , Humans
16.
Diagnostics (Basel) ; 14(7)2024 Mar 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38611601

ABSTRACT

The recent introduction of immunotherapy and targeted therapy has substantially enriched the therapeutic landscape of metastatic melanoma. However, cerebral metastases remain unrelenting entities with atypical metabolic and genetic profiles compared to extracranial metastases, requiring combined approaches with local ablative treatment to alleviate symptoms, prevent recurrence and restore patients' biological and psychological resources for fighting malignancy. This paper aims to provide the latest scientific evidence about the rationale and timing of treatment, emphasizing the complementary roles of surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy in eradicating brain metastases, with a special focus on the distinct response of intracranial and extracranial disease, which are regarded as separate molecular entities. To illustrate the complexity of designing individualized therapeutic schemes, we report a case of delayed BRAF-mutant diagnosis, an aggressive forearm melanoma, in a presumed psychiatric patient whose symptoms were caused by cerebral melanoma metastases. The decision to administer molecularly targeted therapy was dictated by the urgency of diminishing the tumor burden for symptom control, due to potentially life-threatening complications caused by the flourishing of extracranial disease in locations rarely reported in living patients, further proving the necessity of multidisciplinary management.

17.
Front Oncol ; 14: 1344829, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38665955

ABSTRACT

Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is a serious cancer complication associated with poor prognosis. Approximately 5%-25% of patients with melanoma develop LMD. Currently, no standard treatment protocol exists and very few cases have been reported. Despite ongoing advances in new therapies, treatment options for LMD remain limited. Herein, we report a case of intrathecal pembrolizumab administration in a patient with melanoma and LMD. Intrathecal pembrolizumab administration was feasible and safe at the doses tested. Drawing from this case, along with our expertise and the existing evidence on systemic immunotherapy, we propose that an immunotherapy approach involving intrathecal administration for patients with LMD from melanoma warrants additional exploration in clinical trials.

18.
Diagn Cytopathol ; 52(7): 362-368, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38558495

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) has been introduced as a new melanoma marker and potential target for immunotherapy. While PRAME immunohistochemistry (IHC) is well documented in surgical pathology, similar data in cytology are limited. Metastatic melanoma is frequently diagnosed via cytology samples in which IHC plays an important role. We aimed to accordingly evaluate the performance of PRAME IHC in diagnosing metastatic melanoma in cytology samples relative to other commonly used melanoma markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 156 archival cytology cases, of which 93 were melanoma cases and 63 nonmelanoma cases (controls). All cases underwent PRAME IHC staining on cell blocks. Nuclear staining of PRAME was evaluated using a quantitative and qualitative scale. Other melanocytic IHC stain results (SOX10, S-100, Melan-A, and HMB45) were also documented. RESULTS: PRAME was detected in tumor cells in 86% of melanoma cases, which was significantly lower than SOX10 (100%) (p < .01), and similar to HMB45 (84%) and Melan-A (82%). S-100 had the lowest sensitivity of 71%. In comparison to other types of melanomas, spindle cell melanoma exhibited higher negativity for PRAME IHC (4/10 = 40%). PRAME was also expressed in some nonmelanocytic malignancies including carcinoma (5/22 = 23%), sarcoma (5/15 = 33%), and hematologic malignancies (1/9 = 11%). Overall, PRAME showed a sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 82%, positive predictive value of 70%, and negative predictive value of 92% for metastatic melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: PRAME is a useful marker for the diagnosis of melanoma in cytology material, but it is less sensitive than SOX10. PRAME is also expressed in other nonmelanocytic tumors which limits its specificity.


Subject(s)
Antigens, Neoplasm , Biomarkers, Tumor , Immunohistochemistry , Melanoma , Humans , Melanoma/pathology , Melanoma/metabolism , Melanoma/diagnosis , Antigens, Neoplasm/metabolism , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry/methods , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Adult , Sensitivity and Specificity , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/metabolism , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Aged, 80 and over , Cytology
19.
Cureus ; 16(3): e56080, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38482534

ABSTRACT

Appendicitis is an inflammatory condition of the appendix. Patients typically present with migratory right iliac fossa pain, reduced appetite, fever, nausea and vomiting. Despite its characteristic presentation, diagnosis remains challenging, particularly in cases where there has been unrelated prior surgery which may obscure the clinical picture. We present a case of a 59-year-old male who had three previous needle aspirations following a pelvic and inguinal lymph node dissection for metastatic melanoma subsequently presenting with a further episode of right iliac fossa pain. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges that may arise in individuals with a history of surgical interventions, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to ensure the timely and accurate identification of appendicitis.

20.
Cancers (Basel) ; 16(5)2024 Feb 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38473325

ABSTRACT

The activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with metastatic melanoma is often monitored using fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans. However, distinguishing disease progression (PD) from pseudoprogression (PsPD), where increased FDG uptake might reflect immune cell activity rather than tumor growth, remains a challenge. This prospective study compared the efficacy of dual-time point (DTP) FDG-PET/CT with modified response criteria (PERCIMT) in differentiating PsPD from PD. From July 2017-January 2021, 41 patients suspected to have PsPD on an evaluation scan were prospectively included (29 evaluable). A subsequent DTP FDG-PET/CT scan was conducted within 14 days, followed by a confirmatory FDG-PET/CT scan. Additionally, PERCIMT were applied. DTP FDG-PET/CT identified 24% with PsPD and 76% with PD. Applying PERCIMT criteria, 69% showed PsPD, while 31% had PD. On follow-up, 10 patients (34%) demonstrated confirmed PsPD, while 19 (66%) exhibited PD. The sensitivity and specificity of DTP FDG-PET/CT were 20% and 74%, respectively, and for PERCIMT this was 80% and 37%, respectively. Our findings suggest limited efficacy of DTP FDG-PET/CT in distinguishing PsPD from PD in ICI-treated patients with metastatic melanoma. The use of PERCIMT could complement clinical assessment and be incorporated in multidisciplinary team conferences for enhanced decision-making.

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