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Updated: Dec 8, 2025
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Pathology-based Biomarkers Useful for Clinical Decisions in Melanoma
Carlos Torres-Cabala1, Elsa Li-Ning-Tapia2, Wen-Jen Hwu3
1Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
The dramatic recent advances in therapy of melanoma require a more personalized and precise diagnostic approach to aid in clinical decisions. Tissue-based biomarkers in pathology have diagnostic, prognostic and predictive relevance. Herein we review the most commonly used pathology-based biomarkers in melanoma. Most of these biomarkers are evaluated through immunohistochemistry (IHC) or fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) performed on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue (FFPE), and are widely available in clinical pathology laboratories. We describe the utility of MART1/Ki67, p16, PRAME, markers of lymphovascular invasion (D2-40, CD31, D2-40/MITF, CD31/SOX-10), BRAF V600E, NRAS, KIT, BAP1, ALK, NTRK, PD-L1, TERT, PTEN, iNOS, and MMR proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) in the evaluation of melanoma specimens. Correct interpretation and awareness of the significance of these biomarkers is crucial for pathologists, dermatologists, and oncologists who take care of melanoma patients.
