CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 40, no. 1, 2014

Correlation between High Endothelial Vessels and Histopathological Features of Different Pigmented Lesions

[Original Paper]

G. AVRAM(1), F. MIXICH(1), M. IOANA(1), V. PATRASCU(2), C. MONTEGAUDO(3)


(1)Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova;
(2)Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova;
(3)Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Valencia, Spain


Abstract:

Purpose: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes are playing an important role in cutaneous melanoma being a strong prognostic parameter. Our goal was to study the presence of high endothelial vessels in correlation with the histopathological features in different pigmented skin lesions. Material and methods: our study group included 60 patients (20 cases with dysplastic nevi, 20 thin melanoma and 20 thick melanoma). For each patient we noted epidemiological and clinico-pathological characteristics including: age, gender, anatomic sites, regression, Breslow thickness, mitoses, Clark level and lymphocytic infiltration. Using immunohistochemistry staining we identified the presence of high endothelial vessels in our groups. Results: the most common localization of primary melanoma was trunk 57,5%, followed by extremities 35% and head 7,5%. We found positive MECA-79 vessels in 67% of primary melanoma samples and in 30% of dysplastic nevi. Lymphocytic infiltration was present in 80% samples of dysplastic nevi and 75% of primary melanomas. Using Kruskal Wallis non-parametric test we found a positive association between MECA-79+ vessels and different anatomic sites (p<0,01). We have also found a significant correlation between MECA-79+ vessels and the presence of regression in melanoma samples. In conclusion a better understanding of tumor microenvironment and mechanisms involved in anti-tumor response might play an important role in development of future melanoma therapeutic strategies.


Keywords: melanoma, tumor infiltrationg lymphocytes, high endothelial vessels, MECA-79, dysplastic nevi



Corresponding: Gabriela Avram, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Petru Rares Street, No2-4, Craiova 200349, RomAnia, e-mail: gabriela_avram2@yahoo.com


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.40.01.04 - Download PDF
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