BRAF immunohistochemistry predicts sentinel lymph node involvement in intermediate thickness melanomas

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216043
• Publication Date: 2019-04-30T18:57:07Z
• Authors: Atte A. Manninen; Maria Gardberg; Susanna Juteau; Suvi Ilmonen; Joonas Jukonen; Noora Andersson; Olli Carpén
• Keywords: Breslow Thickness; Tissue microarray

Background Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is an important step in melanoma staging and prognostication. It commonly performed for patients with intermediate thickness melanomas, based on clinicopathological features. However, only 20–25% of eventually demonstrate nodal involvement. The aim this study was to evaluate whether tissue biomarkers links biology, together parameters, could aid the prediction sentinel involvement improve selection SNB. In addition, we examined role these clinical or biological markers disease outcome. Methods We collected a case-control cohort 140 (Breslow 0,9–4,0mm) without SNB matched age, gender, Breslow location. From cohort, tested predictive value common parameters (ulceration, mitotic count tumor regression) FMNL-2, ezrin BRAF V600E immunoreactivity, survival. further analyzed correlations superficial spreading subtype. Results Based our case control analysis, markers, status (p = 0.010) 0.036) correlated strong independent prognosticator recurrence free survival (RFS p<0.001), specific (MSS p 0.000) overall (OS 0.029). superficially subgroup, positivity indicated poorer RFS 0.039) OS 0.012). By combining thickness, immunohistochemistry, identified group melanomas excellent probability status. Conclusions These results that immunohistochemistry serve as useful addition marker panel selecting