Immunohistochemical CD10 Expression is Useful for Differentiating Malignant Melanoma from Benign Melanocytic Nevus

Abstract

Malignant melanoma (MM), an aggressive skin neoplasm, can be difficult to differentiate histologically from benign melanocytic nevi (BMN). Although immunohistochemical analysis could facilitate diagnosis of MM, markers that discriminate between benign and malignant lesions have not yet been established. However, CD10 expression is associated with MM progression. We immunostained 36 MM and 50 BMN specimens for CD10 to evaluate whether CD10 immunostaining could distinguish between BMN and MM tumors. In the 36 MM samples, we found CD10 expression in 17 (47.2%) sample tumor cells and 32 (88.9%) stromal cells, for 34 of the 36 MM specimens (94.4%) overall. In contrast, no BMN (0/50) samples had CD10 + tumor cells, although a few (8/50, 16.0%) showed stromal staining. The two specimen types thus significantly differed in CD10 expression (P<0.01), indicating that melanocytic CD10 + tumor cells are likely to be malignant. Also, melanocytic stromal cells with diffuse, strong CD10 expression are more likely to be malignant than those with light, focal CD10 expression. Although hematoxylin and eosin staining is fundamental to the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions, CD10 immunostaining may help distinguish between BMN and MM.

Role of CALLA/CD10 Expression in Progression of Melanocytic Tumors: A Study in Egypt

“…These results, although similar to but, were much higher than those stated by Oba et al [7], 2011, who like us found that CD10 positivity was seen in most of melanoma cases but with lower percentage (53%). Unlike our results, less CD10 prevalence was reported by the studies done by Hoshikawa et al [6], 2015 (47%), and Bilalovic et al [8], 2004 (22%). The higher CD10 expression in our study could be related to our smaller sample size.…”

“…Most of our studied BMN cases were CD10 negative (20 cases, 83.3%), all the remaining positive cases showed +1 score. In agreement with our results, Hoshikawa et al [6], 2015, studied 50 BMN cases all were CD10 negative and Oba et al [7], 2011, who studied 40 BMN cases showing positive CD10 staining in only 10%.…”

“…The difference in CD10 expression among melanocytic tumors in our research showed a statistically significant correlation either between BMN and melanoma cases (p < 0.001) or between primary versus metastatic melanoma (p = 0.006) or in Spitz nevi versus other more common nevi (p = 0.05) and this supports the role of CD10 in the progression of melanocytic tumors as well as its malignant potential in melanoma. Hoshikawa et al [6], 2015, results were similar to ours concerning CD10 expression in melanoma versus BMN. This could be attributed to CD10 upregulation in more aggressive tumor types aiding their oncogenic properties, progression, and invasion.…”