Confocal microscopy characterization of BRAFV600E mutated melanomas. Issue 4 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruini, Cristel; Manfredini, Marco; Pellacani, Giovanni; Mandel, Victor D.; Tomasi, Aldo; Ponti, Giovanni
• Is Part Of: Melanoma research. Volume 25:Issue 4(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Melanoma -- Periodicals; Melanoma -- Periodicals; Melanomen; 616.99477
• DOI: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8931

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <p>Thanks to modern techniques, molecular signatures for melanoma are now identifiable and have opened new horizons in the treatment of metastatic disease with molecular-targeted therapies. We distinguish different melanoma subtypes on the basis of genetic mutations such as <italic>BRAFV600E</italic> and we can therefore hypothesize the existence of corresponding morphological patterns that might be detected <italic>in vivo</italic> by noninvasive diagnostic tools such as dermoscopy and confocal microscopy. Eight <italic>BRAFV600E</italic> mutated melanomas (six primary and two metastases) were collected, matched in terms of age, sex, and thickness wild-type controls, and analyzed. In this preliminary study, regression, corresponding to fibrosis and melanophages in the dermis, was the predominant pattern and was also observed confocally when dermoscopy showed no peppering. In particular, confocal microscopy could not only detect regression but also provided a semiquantitative analysis of its grade through the count of melanophages. Confocal microscopy can be proposed as a useful tool in the preliminary screening and characterization of <italic>BRAFV600E</italic> mutated melanomas, providing new insights for patients' screening and follow-up.</p> </sec> </abstract>