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Reduced Expression of RECK Protein May Help Differentiate Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma from Melanocytic Nevus
Lei Zhang1, Qiang Xie2, Shi-Jun Shan3
1Dermatology Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, P.R. China.
Background:
Differentiating between vertical growth cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and predominantly intradermal benign melanocytic nevus (BMN) can be extremely challenging. Reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) is an endogenous inhibitor of many proteins that promote tumor invasion and progression. We investigated the difference in expression of RECK between CMM and BMN to determine whether RECK could assist in their differentiation.
Materials And Methods:
The expression of RECK in skin biopsies of 39 cases, including 20 cases of CMM and 19 cases of BMN, was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Two out of 20 cases (10%) of CMM were positive for RECK, and all (100%) 19 cases of BMN exhibited positivity at different levels. In 7/8 cases of CMM adjacent to benign nevus cells, malignant melanoma cells did not express RECK, but benign nevus cells stained positively.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that immunohistochemical staining for RECK could be useful in the differential diagnosis between CMM and BMN.
Insights
Reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) is expressed in benign melanocytic nevi but rarely in cutaneous malignant melanoma. RECK immunohistochemistry may aid in distinguishing these skin lesions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Distinguishing vertical growth cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) from benign melanocytic nevus (BMN) is diagnostically challenging.
- Reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) inhibits tumor invasion and progression.
- Investigating RECK expression can aid in differentiating CMM from BMN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the differential expression of RECK in CMM and BMN.
- To determine the utility of RECK as a diagnostic marker.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess RECK expression.
- 39 skin biopsies were analyzed: 20 CMM and 19 BMN.
Main Results:
- RECK was expressed in 100% of BMN cases (19/19).
- RECK was expressed in only 10% of CMM cases (2/20).
- In adjacent tissues, CMM cells lacked RECK expression while BMN cells were positive.
Conclusions:
- Immunohistochemical staining for RECK is a potential diagnostic tool.
- RECK expression patterns differ significantly between CMM and BMN.
- RECK may assist in the differential diagnosis of melanoma.
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