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A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Dermoscopic and Histopathological Features of Melanocytic Lesions in Melanoma Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Systemic
Huseyin Berk Yalcin1, Kerem Balan1, Ozay Gokoz2
1Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ankara, Turkey.
Introduction:
Melanoma accounts for around 1% of all skin tumors yet is responsible for 80% of deaths related to skin cancer. Although adjuvant therapies improve survival, their effects on nevi remain unclear.
Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the dermoscopic and histopathological features of melanocytic nevi in melanoma patients receiving adjuvant systemic therapy.
Methods:
Dermoscopic images of 1,299 melanocytic nevi from 25 melanoma patients undergoing adjuvant therapy (targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or IFN-α) were analyzed before and after treatment. The histopathological features of 129 excised nevi from 67 melanoma patients were compared between patients who received adjuvant therapy and those who did not.
Results:
Melanoma patients on targeted therapy showed a greater reduction in global pigmentation and disappearance of the pigment network than those on IFN-α and immunotherapy (p=0.001 and P=0.017, respectively). IFN-α therapy was associated with more atypical pigment network changes than targeted therapy and immunotherapy (P=0.027). Histopathologically, structural atypia, cytological atypia, inflammation, and fibroplasia were more prevalent in excised nevi from patients receiving adjuvant therapy (P=0.003, P=0.004, P<0.001, P=0.020, respectively).
Conclusions:
Adjuvant systemic therapy induces dermoscopic and histopathological changes in melanocytic nevi. Clinicians and pathologists should carefully consider these alterations during melanoma follow-up to inform treatment decisions.
Insights
Adjuvant systemic therapies for melanoma can alter the appearance of melanocytic nevi, causing changes visible through dermoscopy and histology. These findings are crucial for accurate melanoma follow-up and treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Melanoma, though rare, causes a significant majority of skin cancer deaths.
- Adjuvant therapies improve melanoma patient survival.
- The impact of these therapies on nevi is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine dermoscopic and histopathological changes in melanocytic nevi.
- To assess these changes in melanoma patients undergoing adjuvant systemic therapy.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed dermoscopic images of 1,299 nevi from 25 melanoma patients before and after treatment.
- Compared histopathological features of 129 excised nevi between patients who received adjuvant therapy and those who did not.
- Evaluated nevi from patients on targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or interferon-alfa (IFN-α).
Main Results:
- Targeted therapy led to greater pigment reduction and network disappearance compared to IFN-α and immunotherapy.
- IFN-α therapy was linked to more atypical pigment network changes.
- Excised nevi from patients on adjuvant therapy showed increased structural atypia, cytological atypia, inflammation, and fibroplasia.
Conclusions:
- Adjuvant systemic therapy significantly alters the dermoscopic and histopathological features of melanocytic nevi.
- Healthcare providers must account for these therapy-induced changes during melanoma patient monitoring.
- Consideration of these alterations is vital for informed clinical and pathological assessments.
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