VISTA, PDL-L1, and BRAF—A Review of New and Old Markers in the Prognosis of Melanoma

Abstract

Melanoma is currently known as one of the most aggressive malignant tumors. The prognostic factors and particularities of this neoplasm are a persistent hot topic in the medical field. This review has multiple purposes. First, we aim to summarize the known data regarding the histological and immunohistochemical appearance of this versatile tumor and to look further into the analysis of several widely used prognostic markers, such as B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase BRAF. The second purpose is to analyze the data on the new prognostic markers, V-domain Immunoglobulin Suppressor of T cell Activation (VISTA) and Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). VISTA is a novel target that is considered to be highly important in determining the invasive potential and treatment response of a melanoma, and there are currently only a limited number of studies describing its role. PD-L1 is a marker with whose importance has been revealed in multiple types of malignancies, but its exact role regarding melanoma remains under investigation. In conclusion, the gathered data highlights the importance of correlations between these markers toward providing patients with a better outcome.

Actualities in the Morphology and Immunohistochemistry of Cutaneous and Ocular Melanoma: What Lies Ahead? A Single-Centre Study

“…While some studies have reported its expression in leukocytes and association with better prognoses, others have reported that it is expressed in tumoral cells, worsening patient outcomes. Nevertheless, the tumor microenvironment has been proven to be important for tumor development and also in the treatment response [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”