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Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
Published on: June 7, 2019
C-kit expression in canine mucosal melanomas
S J Newman1, J M Jankovsky, B W Rohrbach
1Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-4542, USA. snewman4@utk.edu
Veterinary Pathology
|August 10, 2011
Summary
Canine melanomas show altered c-kit receptor (KIT) expression. KIT expression in tumors correlated with longer survival, suggesting its potential as a prognostic indicator for mucosal melanomas in dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The c-kit receptor (KIT) is crucial for melanocyte migration signals; its reduced expression is linked to human melanoma progression.
- KIT expression has not been previously studied in canine melanocytic neoplasms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate c-kit (KIT) expression in benign and malignant canine melanocytic tumors.
- To evaluate the potential of KIT expression as a prognostic marker for canine mucosal melanomas.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of KIT expression in 14 benign dermal melanocytomas and 61 malignant mucosal melanomas.
- Melan A expression was used to confirm melanocytic origin of tumors.
Main Results:
- All benign dermal melanocytomas showed strong and diffuse KIT expression.
- KIT was detected in various melanocyte populations within mucosal melanomas (basilar, junctional, neoplastic).
- KIT expression within resected melanomas was significantly associated with longer patient survival.
Conclusions:
- Canine mucosal melanomas exhibit altered KIT expression compared to normal melanocytes.
- KIT expression may serve as a valuable prognostic indicator for canine mucosal melanomas.
