Key Biomarker Correlations in Cutaneous Melanoma: Implications for Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic...

Background and Objectives: Cutaneous melanomas are highly aggressive and prevalent malignancies that often require complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Mounting evidence supports the utility of several biomarkers for improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the correlations between various histopathological and immunohistochemical markers to better understand melanoma development and its subsequent behavior. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 59 patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma to establish the significant correlations between clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical markers. Results: The mean age of the patients was 60.15 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.27:1. Our results demonstrate significant correlations between proliferative activity, evaluated both as mitotic counts and Ki-67 index, and clinicopathological parameters. Other significant correlations between melanoma immunohistochemical markers such as Melan-A, HMB45, S100 or PRAME and Breslow depth highlight their potential not only for diagnostic but also for prognostic purposes. Additionally, the significant negative correlations between p16 and patient age, Breslow depth, and the Ki-67 index emphasize the predictive value of this still insufficiently described parameter. Conclusions: Taken together, these observations underscore the importance of integrating biomarker evaluation into melanoma management, enabling more precise prognostication and the development of individualized treatment strategies.