Growth and regression of cutaneous melanomas in Sinclair miniature swine

Previous studies have demonstrated pathologic similarities between human melanoma and the spontaneous melanoma in the Sinclair miniature swine (SMS) with respect to cutaneous histologic features and patterns of metastasis. The current biopsy series, correlating growth curves and histopathologic features of cutaneous melanomas, was undertaken for documentation of the histologic events associated with the successful regression of melanoma in the SMS. Cutaneous growth and regression was characterized by a series of cellular events that eventually led to depigmentation and scar formation. Mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates, seen in over half of the 104 biopsies, showed several temporal and topographic distribution patterns, similar to that described in human melanoma. Histopathologic observations in the SMS confirm clinical observations that the host can, with consistent effectiveness, react with the tumors to modify their biologic aggressiveness. Although regression is associated with lymphocytic and macrophage infiltration, the exact role of the immune response in the regression of the cutaneous melanoma remains to be elucidated.