PNL2 melanocytic marker in immunohistochemical evaluation of primary mucosal melanoma of the head and neck.
BACKGROUND
Histologic diagnosis of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is difficult, requiring immunohistochemical stains which are less reliable than in cutaneous lesions. PNL-2 is a novel marker that has not been examined in mucosal melanoma.


METHODS
Nine formalin-fixed tissue sections of mucosal melanoma were stained with PNL-2, human melanoma black (HMB)-45, Melan-A, S-100, and microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF).


RESULTS
Disease in all 9 patients arose from the sinonasal mucosa. Rates of diffuse positive staining with the 4 stains were PNL-2 (77.8%), HMB-45 (77.8%), Melan-A (50%), S-100 (87.5%), and MITF (40%). In 3 patients, PNL2 staining was superior to Melan-A or MITF.


CONCLUSIONS
We report the first characterization of PNL-2 staining in head and neck mucosal melanoma. PNL-2 demonstrates high sensitivity for mucosal melanoma, likely superior to Melan-A and MITF, and comparable to HMB-45, with specificity superior to S-100. We advocate inclusion of PNL2 as an important adjunctive marker in the evaluation of these lesions.
Morris
Luc G
LG
Head and Neck Surgery Service, New York University Cancer Institute, New York, New York.
Wen
Yong Hannah
YH
Nonaka
Daisuke
D
DeLacure
Mark D
MD
Kutler
David I
DI
Huan
Youming
Y
Wang
Beverly Y
BY
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism*; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor