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ALK expression favorably impacts the prognosis of NRAS-mutated metastatic melanomas.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies reported the expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in malignant melanomas. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ALK expression is associated with specific clinical and molecular characteristics of melanoma metastases, and to evaluate its correlation with survival outcomes. Seventy-one patients with metastatic melanoma were investigated. Clinical features and survival outcomes were analyzed and correlated to ALK expression, as detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and to the mutational status of BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, and PIK3CA. No translocations or ALK alternative isoforms were identified. ALK expression was mainly detected in NRAS mutated metastatic lesions. Interestingly, among NRAS-mutated patients, ALK positive samples displayed a significantly more favorable outcome in terms of disease specific survival, as compared to ALK negative ones. In conclusion, we suggest that ALK positive/NRAS mutated metastases represent a specific subset of metastatic melanomas, associated with a better prognosis. Validation of these observations in larger cohorts could contribute to understand the molecular events cooperating to melanoma progression, in addition to open new perspectives in the clinical and therapeutic management of this subgroup of patients.

SUBMITTER: Osella-Abate S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6256323 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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ALK expression favorably impacts the prognosis of <i>NRAS</i>-mutated metastatic melanomas.

Osella-Abate Simona S Mereu Elisabetta E Pellegrino Elisa E Bergaggio Elisa E Ribero Simone S Bertero Luca L Lisa Francesco F Fierro Maria Teresa MT Giulio Papotti Mauro M Piva Roberto R

Oncology letters 20181009 6

Recent studies reported the expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in malignant melanomas. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ALK expression is associated with specific clinical and molecular characteristics of melanoma metastases, and to evaluate its correlation with survival outcomes. Seventy-one patients with metastatic melanoma were investigated. Clinical features and survival outcomes were analyzed and correlated to ALK expression, as detected by immunohistochemistry a ...[more]

PMID: 30546443

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Primary vaginal melanomas are uncommon and aggressive tumors with poor prognosis, and the development of new targeted therapies is essential. This study aimed to identify the molecular markers occurring in these patients and potentially improve treatment strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The clinicopathological characteristics of 36 patients with primary vaginal melanomas were reviewed. Oncogenic mutations in BRAF, KIT, NRAS, GNAQ and GNA11 and the promoter region of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) were investigated using the Sanger sequencing. The expression and copy number of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were also assessed. RESULTS:Mutations in NRAS, KIT, and TERT promoter were identified in 13.9% (5/36), 2.9% (1/34), and 5.6% (2/36) of the primary vaginal melanomas, respectively. PD-L1 expression and amplification were observed in 27.8% (10/36) and 5.6% (2/36) of cases, respectively. PD-L1 positive expression and/or amplification was associated with older patients (p = .008). Patients who had NRAS mutations had a poorer overall survival compared with those with a wild-type NRAS (33.5 vs. 14.0 months; hazard ratio [HR], 3.09; 95% CI, 1.08-8.83). Strikingly, two patients with/without PD-L1 expression receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors had a satisfying outcome. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that >10 mitoses per mm2 (HR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.03-8.51) was an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS:NRAS mutations and PD-L1 expression were most prevalent in our cohort of primary vaginal melanomas and can be potentially considered as therapeutic targets. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:This study used the Sanger sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence in situ hybridization methods to detect common genetic mutations and PD-L1 expression and copy number in 36 primary vaginal melanomas. NRAS mutations and PD-L1 expression were the most prevalent, but KIT and TERT mutations occurred at a lower occurrence in this rare malignancy. Two patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors had a satisfying outcome, signifying that the PD-L1 expression and amplification can be a possible predictive marker of clinical response. This study highlights the possible prospects of biomarkers that can be used for patient selection in clinical trials involving treatments with novel targeted therapies based on these molecular aberrations.

Dataset Information

ALK expression favorably impacts the prognosis of NRAS-mutated metastatic melanomas.

Publications

ALK expression favorably impacts the prognosis of <i>NRAS</i>-mutated metastatic melanomas.

Similar Datasets

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