title: Protumorigenic M2-like phenotype cell infiltration in the melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to report 2 cases of melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI), emphasizing the analysis of intratumoral immune cells by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case 1: A 6-month-old girl presented with a 3-cm tumor in the anterior region of the left maxilla. Case 2: A 4-month-old boy presented with a 4-cm tumor in the anterior region of the left maxilla. Microscopically, case 1 had predominantly neuroblast-like cells supported by fibrillary neuropil-like stroma arranged in an alveolar pattern, whereas case 2 exhibited scattered melanocyte-like and neuroblast-like cells supported by fibrovascular stroma. A large immunohistochemical panel for characterizing intratumoral macrophage and dendritic cell subsets was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemical analysis indicated positivity for HLA-DR, XIIIa, CD68, and CD163 (range 6%-50%) mainly on the fibrovascular stroma, suggesting M2 macrophage-like cell phenotype. CD138 was overexpressed in the tumor stroma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest the involvement of M2-polarized macrophages in the MNTI pathogenesis, which may act by modulating tumor growth and/or tumor stromal remodeling.
authors.affiliation: Master Student of Oral Biopathology, Institute of Science and Technology, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, School of Dentistry, São José dos Campos, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strieder
authors.affiliation: Director of Centro Clínico de Cabeza y Cuello, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
authors.forename: Román
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carlos
authors.affiliation: Professor of Oral Pathology, Department of Stomatology, Public Oral Health and Forensic Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jorge Esquiche
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: León
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ribeiro-Silva
authors.affiliation: Master Student of Oral Biopathology, Institute of Science and Technology, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, School of Dentistry, São José dos Campos, Brazil.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Professor of Stomatology, Department of Bioscience and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, School of Dentistry, São José dos Campos, Brazil. Electronic address: estela@fosjc.unesp.br.
authors.forename: Estela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaminagakura
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D017600:Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype