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PRAME expression in cellular neurothekeoma: A study of 11 cases
Anna Maria Cesinaro1, Simonetta Piana2, Alessia Paganelli3
1Department of Pathological Anatomy, Modena University Hospital, Modena, Italy.
Background:
Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) has been widely investigated in the skin, mainly in melanocytic tumors, and constitutes an aid in differentiating benign from malignant lesions. Very few studies have been performed on non-melanocytic tumors.
Materials:
We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of PRAME on a series of 11 neurothekeomas (NTKs), together with 3 cases of nerve sheath myxoma (NSM) and 1 case of plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor (PFT), in order to evaluate the presence and usefulness of this marker in their differential diagnosis.
Results:
PRAME was variably expressed in all cases of NTK, with moderate intensity in three cases and faint in the remaining cases; on the contrary, cases of NSM and PFT were negative.
Conclusions:
This study expands the entities of cutaneous non-melanocytic tumors expressing PRAME, and confirms that this marker is not restricted to malignant tumors. Expression of PRAME in NTK does not seem to be related to distinctive histopathologic features.
Insights
Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is expressed in neurothekeomas (NTKs), aiding differential diagnosis. This marker is also found in non-melanocytic tumors, not just malignant ones.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Oncology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is a marker investigated in skin tumors, primarily melanocytic lesions.
- Its role in non-melanocytic tumors is less understood, with limited prior research.
- PRAME aids in distinguishing benign from malignant skin lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of PRAME in neurothekeomas (NTKs).
- To evaluate PRAME expression in nerve sheath myxoma (NSM) and plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor (PFT).
- To assess the utility of PRAME as a diagnostic marker in these non-melanocytic tumors.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of PRAME expression.
- Study cohort included 11 neurothekeomas (NTKs), 3 nerve sheath myxomas (NSMs), and 1 plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor (PFT).
Main Results:
- PRAME was variably expressed in all investigated NTK cases (moderate to faint intensity).
- Nerve sheath myxoma (NSM) and plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor (PFT) cases showed negative PRAME expression.
- PRAME expression in NTKs did not correlate with specific histopathologic features.
Conclusions:
- This study identifies neurothekeomas as a non-melanocytic tumor entity expressing PRAME.
- PRAME expression is not exclusive to malignant tumors.
- PRAME can be a useful marker in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous non-melanocytic tumors.
