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Updated: Dec 16, 2025
08:49
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
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Dedifferentiated melanomas: Morpho-phenotypic profile, genetic reprogramming and clinical implications.
Daniela Massi1, Daniela Mihic-Probst2, Dirk Schadendorf3
1Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.
Cancer Treatment Reviews
|July 4, 2020
Summary
Melanoma can change its appearance, a process called dedifferentiation. This plasticity is linked to treatment resistance and cancer evolution, posing diagnostic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Malignant melanoma exhibits significant phenotypic plasticity.
- Dedifferentiation in melanoma presents diagnostic challenges due to aberrant marker expression.
- This phenomenon is increasingly recognized as a key aspect of melanoma progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the histopathological features of dedifferentiated melanoma.
- To explore the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of melanoma dedifferentiation.
- To support the role of dedifferentiation as a mechanism of therapeutic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of translational studies and case series.
- Analysis of histopathological and immunohistochemical findings.
- Examination of genetic and epigenetic data related to melanoma dedifferentiation.
Main Results:
- Dedifferentiated melanoma loses typical morpho-phenotype, mimicking other cancers.
- Phenotypic plasticity and genetic alterations characterize dedifferentiation.
- Dedifferentiation is associated with cross-resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Conclusions:
- Dedifferentiation highlights melanoma's phenotypic and genetic plasticity.
- It represents a hallmark of cancer evolution and resistance.
- Understanding dedifferentiation is crucial for managing melanoma treatment resistance.
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