title: The histological and immunohistochemical changes in the skin of patients with melanoma who develop changes in skin pigmentation following immunotherapy.
abstract: The histological and immunocytochemical appearances of skin with altered pigmentation from two patients receiving chemoimmunotherapy for melanoma were examined. In both patients, there was a clinical response to treatment coincident with depigmentation of skin and hair. Skin biopsies showed extensive infiltration with CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes rather than CD57+ in the depigmented areas suggestive of a specific MHC-related cytotoxic T-cell activity against melanocytes. In keeping with this, MHCII expression was markedly up-regulated. These observations suggest the development of a simultaneous anti-tumour and anti-melanocyte immune response stimulated by chemoimmunotherapy, possibly against the same or similar antigens.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006200:Hair Color / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D002945:Cisplatin