Evaluation of aberrant expression of neuroendocrine markers in melanoma and its relationship with stage of disease

Abstract

Rare cases of melanoma with aberrant expression of neuroendocrine markers have been reported. Due to the limited studies in this area and the lack of correlation with disease prognosis, and based on a search of various scientific databases, no study has been conducted at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences titled "Investigation of Aberrant Expression of Neuroendocrine Markers in Melanoma and Its Association with Disease Stage." Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the aberrant expression of neuroendocrine markers in melanoma and its association with disease stage. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Archived pathology records from Sina Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, were reviewed, using melanoma samples between 2018 and 2023, whose pathology was confirmed with H&E and IHC slides. Paraffin blocks were collected and stained using immunohistochemistry to assess the expression of synaptophysin, chromogranin, and CD56 antigens. Clinical data were obtained by reviewing the patients' electronic medical records. Missing data were retrieved through follow-up of medical records or telephone contact. Results: Among the 64 cases reviewed in this study, 33 (51.6%) were male, and 31 (48.4%) were female. The age range of the patients was 17 to 89 years, with a median age of 60.5 years. In terms of sample type, 48% were biopsies, and 51% were excisional samples. The majority of the samples (78%) were primary cases, while 21% were distant recurrences. Among histological subtypes, epithelioid melanoma had the highest frequency, accounting for 67%. Disease stages included 25% stage 2B and 18% stage 4. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that 9% of patients showed positive expression for synaptophysin, and 17% showed positive expression for chromogranin. Aberrant expression of the immunohistochemical markers CD56, synaptophysin, and chromogranin did not show a significant correlation with disease stage, clinical characteristics, or demographic features in melanoma patients.