P75 nerve growth factor receptor as a useful marker to distinguish spindle cell melanoma from other spindle cell neoplasms of sun-damaged skin.
P75 nerve growth factor receptor (p75 NGF-R) is a low-affinity receptor expressed on the surface of neural crest-derived cells and in a variety of neural tumors. Strong p75 NGF-R expression has been found in spindle cell melanoma (SCM). We studied spindle cell neoplasms of sun-damaged skin to determine whether this marker can reliably distinguish between SCM and other spindle cell malignancies. We evaluated the staining of p75 NGF-R, S100, and HMB-45 in 11 cases of SCM, 16 cases of spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (SCSCC), 19 cases of spindle cell atypical fibroxanthoma, 6 cases of cutaneous leiomyosarcoma, and 20 scars. Staining with p75 NGF-R was positive in all 11 of 11 (100%) cases of SCM, whereas S100 stained 10 of 11 (91%) cases, and HMB-45 was negative in all SCMs. In addition, there was superior intensity of the staining for p75 NGF-R in comparison to S100. P75-NGF-R showed focal positivity in 3 of 16 (19%) cases of SCSCC. None of the rest of the cases of SCSCC, and none of the cases of spindle cell atypical fibroxanthoma, cutaneous leiomyosarcoma, and scars expressed p75 NGF-R, S100, or HMB-45. P75 NGF-R is a useful marker to distinguish SCM from other spindle cell neoplasms of sun-damaged skin. This marker exhibits greater sensitivity than S100 in identifying SCM and may be a useful diagnostic and ancillary stain especially in the setting of an S100 negative spindle cell neoplasm.
Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Alicia C
AC
Sigal
Megan
M
Keenan
Rossitza
R
Lazova
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor