Immunohistochemical expression of vitamin D receptor in melanocytic naevi and cutaneous melanoma: a case–control study4. (26th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: del Puerto, C.; Navarrete‐Dechent, C.; Molgó, M.; Camargo, C.A.; Borzutzky, A.; González, S.
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 179:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2018-02-26
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.16103
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

Summary: Background: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher risk of cancer, possibly due to its antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, proapoptotic, cell‐differentiating and anti‐invasive effects. The anticarcinogenic role of vitamin D in melanoma is still a matter of debate. Loss of nuclear and cytoplasmic vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in melanoma cells has been reported. Objectives: To analyse VDR immunohistochemical expression in benign dermal naevi (DN) and malignant melanoma (MM). Methods: A case–control study evaluated nuclear and cytoplasmic VDR immunohistochemical staining in 54 DN and 55 MM tissue samples. Results: There was significantly higher cytoplasmic VDR positivity in DN compared with MM (59% vs. 16%, P < 0·001). The mean VDR cytoplasmic expression was also higher in DN vs. MM ( P < 0·001). No differences in nuclear VDR positivity were observed between groups, but mean nuclear VDR expression was significantly lower in DN vs. MM ( P = 0·02). The loss of cytoplasmic VDR in MM was associated with Clark level, tumour staging and American Joint Committee on Cancer pTNM staging ( P =0·004, 0·009 and 0·02, respectively). Conclusions: Alterations in VDR expression and localization are found in MM compared with DN. Loss of cytoplasmic VDR was associated with melanoma tumour size, suggesting that loss of cytoplasmic VDR may be a prognostic factor. Abstract : What's already known about this topic? Vitamin D has an anticarcinogenic role in multiple neoplasms, including melanoma. The vitamin D axis is complex and includes vitamin D binding protein, multiple enzymes and vitamin D receptor (VDR). One study has shown an inverse correlation between cytoplasmic and nuclear VDR expression and progression of melanocytic neoplasms. What does this study add? Melanoma shows lower cytoplasmic VDR expression, but higher nuclear VDR expression than dermal naevi. Cytoplasmic, but not nuclear, VDR expression is inversely correlated with tumour progression. What is the translational message? VDR expression might be a valuable diagnostic marker to differentiate dermal naevi cells from melanoma cells. VDR expression might be a valuable indicator to predict which patients might benefit from vitamin D supplementation as an adjuvant therapy. Plain language summary available online Respond to this article